China holds grand gathering to mobilize public to ensure successful Olympics

    BEIJING, April 30 (Xinhua) -- As the countdown reached the 100-day mark, senior Chinese leader Jia Qinglin on Wednesday called on the Chinese to turn their patriotism into mighty forces to overcome all difficulties to hold a successful Olympics.

    Jia, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), made the remarks at a grand mobilization gathering held here in the 100-day countdown to the Beijing Olympic Games, scheduled from Aug. 8-24.

    China is "confident of holding a high-level Olympics with a distinctive flavor", said Jia, the chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top political advisory body.

    At this historic moment, however, "we should keep a sober mind and pool our patriotic passion to accumulate a mighty force that could overcome all difficulties in a bid to hold a successful Olympics," he stressed.

    He asked people to make preparations for the event in a "scientific, prudent and solid" way to ensure a successful Olympics and be a great host.

    He also called on people to fully utilize the advantages of the fact that the whole country instead of only Beijing was supporting the event and "create a happy and peaceful Olympic atmosphere" in society.

    The gathering saw the presence of more than 6,000 people including athletes, students, soldiers, armed police, security forces, staff of the Beijing Olympics organizing committee, volunteers, and representatives of sponsors, communities, designated hospitals and hotels.