China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin inspected Beijing's preparations for the 2008 Olympics from Monday and Wednesday, urging city officials to work hard for a "high-level" Games.

 

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), urged the city to integrate international standards with Chinese conditions and improve both the hardware and software in preparing for the Games.

 

"Chinese people have dreamed of holding an Olympic Games for a long time, and the event in 2008 will inspire the entire nation to unite and work hard," Jia said.

 

Everyone involved in the preparations should have high sense of responsibility and urgency, he said, praising the progress in the city's preparation so far.

 

He also called for more efforts to protect the capital's environment and ease its traffic jams.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2007)