President Backs Olympics

President Hu Jintao of China, in his speech to the 17th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party today, made special mention of the Olympics.

Quote:

"We must organise the 2008 Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and 2010 World Expo well.

We must comprehensively develop mass participation of sports among the people."

The Chinese are using the Olympics as a means of showcasing China and China's economic and social achievements to the rest of the world.

The Western media have raised questions as to how China will deal with dissent at Games, and are also closely following the efforts made by the authorities to improve the air quality in Beijing.