China rings in New Year with Olympic fervour

　　BEIJING, Jan 1, 2008 - China rang in the New Year Tuesday vowing to spare no effort in hosting the Olympic Games, which state media said offered a chance to showcase 5,000 years of culture and history.

　　In a message carried by state media, President Hu Jintao said China would "spare no effort and enthusiasm" to make August's Beijing Games a resounding success.

　　"We warmly welcome athletes from all nations to take part in the Olympics and Paralympics, and also welcome friends from around the world to come to China and watch the games," he said.

　　The ruling Communisty Party has trumpeted the Games as the coming of age of a nation that has wowed the world with its economic and political might.

　　"We will show to the world 5,000 years of splendid Chinese history, the significant achievements of modern China and the zeitgeist of the Chinese people," a New Year's editorial in the People's Daily, the Communist Party mouthpiece, said.

　　"This is the year that 1.3 billion sons and daughters of China have been ardently expecting, the year when more of the world's gaze will be fixed on China, the year that will be etched into the history of the People's Republic."

　　2008 also marks the 30th anniversary of China's opening and reform era, a "historic period" that has ushered in unprecedented economic growth and development, the editorial added.

　　"The Chinese Communist Party and people are capable of firmly pushing forward the great undertaking of opening and reform to develop China, develop socialism (and) develop Marxism," it said.

　　"As the new year begins, the enthusiam of the Olympic Games will become stronger, the sacred Olympic flame will shine over the East and the 100-year Olympic dream of the Chinese nation will be realised."