(BEIJING, May 24) -- The activities to mark the one-year countdown to the Beijing Olympic Games was a key topic at the 82nd meeting of the Executive Board of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) on Thursday.

The meeting heard a report on the draft of the celebrations of the countdown, and noted that the countdown is the most important milestone date in the preparatory work for the Olympics. The celebrations should be held in an extensive and magnificent style and in an enthusiastic and festive atmosphere. They should have both national characteristics and an international flavor. They will send Beijing's messages to warmly welcome the guests from all over the globe and showcase the Chinese people's understanding and pursuit of the Olympic spirit. Through the celebrations, the people across the nation will be mobilized to fulfill the Olympic preparations, while the attention of the nation and the world will be attracted to the forthcoming Olympics.

The meeting noted that the celebrations should also highlight the conviction of the Chinese government and people in the success of the Games through their united efforts, the rising passion of all walks of life to participate in, support and contribute to the Games, as well as the festive atmosphere of the nation to look forward to the successful Olympic Games.

The meeting also listened to a proposal to open the central area of the Olympic Green and the Olympic Forest Park to the public, and dealt with other matters.

The meeting was chaired by BOCOG President Liu Qi, who is also member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and secretary of Beijing Municipal CPC Committee.

Present at the meeting was also Chen Zhili, State Councilor and BOCOG First Vice-President.