(BEIJING, April 17) -- The IOC's Coordination Commission for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games opened its eighth full session in Beijing on Tuesday.

In line with the directives of the Chinese government and President Hu Jintao, the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) is making great efforts to deliver a more detailed and efficient preparatory work for the 2008 Games, BOCOG President Liu Qi told the opening session.

He outlined BOCOG's objectives for 2007:

-- complete the construction of the Olympic venues and auxiliary facilities;

-- wind up preparations for the sport organization, large-scale ceremonies, security and Games services;

-- successfully hold the 26 "Good Luck Beijing" sport events;

-- form venue teams and command systems at various levels;

--set up urban operation, management, service, logistics and emergency-response systems to create a clean, secure and beautiful environment for the Games;

--fully promote the campaign under the slogan "Welcome the Olympics, Improve Manners and Foster New Attitudes" to improve citizens' manners and their civic spirit, upgrade social order and ensure quality services.

Taking inventory of the current work, Liu said:

-- progress has been made in the construction of Olympic venues;

-- effective measures have been taken to improve traffic conditions; -- air quality has been improved due to continuing efforts in this regard;

-- preparations for the "Good Luck Beijing" are on track;

-- services for the overseas media have unfolded;

-- the campaign of "Sport for All" and the Olympic education are underway to create a favorable social environment for the Olympics.

Liu promised that BOCOG will strengthen its cooperation with the IOC Coordination Commission with an aim to improve the Olympic preparatory work and stage high-level Olympic Games with distinguishing characteristics.

In his speech, Chairman Hein Verbruggen said his commission is glad to hear that the Beijing Municipality and BOCOG have made new progress in the Olympic preparations. With the Olympic Games less than 500 days away, there will be a great volume of work. The IOC and BOCOG will enhance their cooperation and work together to present high quality Olympic Games.

Vice-Mayor of Beijing and BOCOG executive vice-president Liu Jingmin briefed the audience on the progress of Olympic preparations, including the media and communications, human resources, security, legal affairs, transportation infrastructure, service program for client groups, operation and command framework, preparations for the "Good Luck" events and the Olympic legacy.

Present at the opening session were also Beijing Mayor and BOCOG Executive President Wang Qishan, and President of the China Disabled Persons' Federation and BOCOG Executive President Deng Pufang.