The 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing will promote economic growth in Beijing, said Beijing Vice Mayor Zhang Mao at the World Mayors Forum Thursday.

Zhang said Beijing's gross regional product is predicted to grow with the annual rate of 10 percent in the next three years. The gross domestic product (GDP) per capita will likely exceed US$5,000 and disposable income per capita for city residents will reach 22,000 yuan (US$2,600) in the year of 2008.

Before the Olympics, Beijing will also improve the traffic situation in the city, said Zhang. The total length of the city's rail track will be increased from current 114 kilometers to more than 200 kilometers in 2008. A tramline will also be added.

According to Zhang, with the transformation of some water projects and the start of the North to South water diversion project, the water supply for the city's residents and for the Olympic Games will be guaranteed.

Meanwhile, Beijing will increase its green coverage rate in the downtown area from 41.5 percent to 45 percent, with green area per capita reaching 15 square meters. About 200 companies in the urban city will be moved to other districts.

"The air quality and people's living environment will be improved greatly in 2008," Zhang said.

Beijing plans to build and renovate 36 stadiums for the 2008 Olympic Games. The construction for all of these stadiums will be completed before 2007, said Zhang.

"Beijing has a lot to offer to the world," Barcelona Mayor Joan

Clos said.

The most important thing for Beijing Olympics is trying "to be a very fresh and unique one of the Chinese culture," he said.

"Seeing how you change your city every year, I'm sure that the Beijing Olympic Games will be successful," said Clos, who was the deputy mayor when the 1992 Olympic Games was held in Barcelona. 

(Xinhua News Agency June 10, 2005)