The vice mayor of Shenyang, one of the six co-host cities for the 2008 Olympics, affirmed the city is ready for the upcoming Olympic football matches.

Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, will host 12 Olympic football matches in August.

"After six test soccer matches, the Wulihe Stadium has been proven ready for the formal matches," said Gu Chunming.

From Aug. 6 to 16, all 12 matches -- including those between China and Belgium and China and New Zealand -- will be held at the stadium.

Shenyang also prepared three football pitches for the teams' exercise.

From accommodation to transportation, medical, food and media services to anti-terrorism inspection, the city has made full preparations.

"All the 115 star-ranked hotels and 28 international travel agencies have passed the government's inspection," he said.

All designated hospitals have disseminated information on preventing infectious diseases and will report daily on possible epidemics.

During the games, 12 special bus routes with 360 buses will operate.

Gu stressed that "the most important task for the co-host cities is to safeguard public security during the games."

Shenyang has established an anti-terrorism center and organized an anti-terrorism group. Twenty-six departments including security surveillance, public health and quality supervision have improved their security work plans for the Olympics.

"For media coverage, Shengyang will also provide support to media as much as possible," he said.

Shenyang has appointed 80 spokespeople for the matches and designated the Shenyang Hotel as the media center for registered reporters and the Liaoning Mansion as the media center for non-registered reporters.

In addition, 10,000 trained volunteers will provide timely services for athletes, Olympic officials and visitors, he said.

"All Shenyang people are ready for the games and look forward to them," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 22, 2008)