Upon hearing the news, more than 400,000 people took to the streets and gathered spontaneously in Tiananmen Square, the political and cultural heart of China, to celebrate the awarding of the 2008 Olympic Games. From the cheers heard in Beijing and other parts of China, the world felt the delight of the country.

It was a day when the Chinese people's Olympic dream finally came true. The right to host the Games symbolizes long-lasting honor and prestige, and promises infinite economic opportunities. For Beijing, it implies even more. After shutting its door to outside world for such a long time, and after humiliations brought about by two centuries of foreign invasion and suppression, Beijing has shown its intention to become integrated with the world by bidding for the hosting right of the Games.

China has nearly 1.3 billion people and a market potential tempting for any investor. Beijing has a great plan as well as unparalleled zeal for the hosting of the Games. A survey by the authoritative independent polling agency, Gallop, shows that 94.9 percent of Beijingers and over 90 percent of Chinese citizens support Beijing's bid.

In a letter to then IOC Chairman Juan Antonio Samaranch, Chinese President Jiang Zemin pledged that the Chinese Government and the Chinese people will go all out to support Beijing and make the 2008 Olympic Games a great event that celebrates the Olympic spirit, promotes world peace and strengthens friendships among people around the world.

Liu Qi, Chairman of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee and Mayor of Beijing, expressed his thanks to the IOC for their trust in Beijing's capability to host a successful Olympic Games. The best way to return such a trust, he said, is to realize what is expected. He pledged that Beijing would honor all commitments made to the IOC.

The awarding of the Games to Beijing, Liu pointed out, will indeed "leave a unique and precious heritage to China and the world" as was stated in the IOC evaluation report. This is true for the following reasons: Firstly, an Olympic Games in a country with a 1.3-billion population will spread the Olympic spirit to the largest possible extent. Secondly, an Olympic Games in a developing country such as China will greatly promote the development of the hosting country's economy. Thirdly, as sports, culture and environmental protection are the three pillars of the modern Olympic Movement, Beijing will use the opportunity to promote the integration of sports and culture, as well as raising awareness about environmental protection, and thus improve the environment. Finally, China will become more open and integrate closer with the world economy through the Olympic Games.