People in Beijing have launched a program to give their best smiles in support of Beijing's bid for the 2008 Olympic Games.

A group of people who won the "best smile" prizes gathered at the 500-year-old Temple of Heaven in Beijing on Saturday. The winners were selected by users of the Internet at an on-line contest of best smiles.

Wen Wen, an official from the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee, said that the splendid smiles of Beijing citizens and Chinese people show sincere welcome to the people from all around the world.

Noting that in ancient times, the Temple of Heaven was a ritual site for prayer for good years, she said that awarding those who smile the best at this world cultural heritage site had special meanings.

Beijing, a city of a long history and rich culture, will show a fresh face to the world and blend sports with culture, according to Wen.

"Smile is a universal language of people in the world," said Lian Hong, mother of a 2-year-old Beijinger who won the best smile prize.

"My daughter's smile is so pure and splendid that I want to share it with people from other parts of the world," she said.

"I wish the smiles of my daughter and others will tell them that Beijing is a beautiful, friendly and hospitable city," she said.

The Opening up Your Smile for the Olympics program is sponsored by the Procter and Gamble Company.

An official from the company said at the awarding ceremony that the activities were aimed to support Beijing's bid by spreading the sincere smile to every corner of the country through the Internet.

Before launching the Opening up Your Smile for the Olympics program today, Procter and Gamble Company had also sponsored the on-line contest of the best smiles.

(Xinhua 10/29/2000)