December 2002, Beijing Stated-owned Assets Management Co. Ltd (BSAM) became the owner of the National Aquatics Center responsible for the design, investment, construction, management and operation aspects of the venue.

January 2003 The date for groundbreaking and working calendar were decided. The Three Gorges Company was selected to be the management company for the swimming center. In the mean time, BOCOG, Beijing Development Planning Commission, Beijing Urban Planning Commission and other government units organized a press conference announcing Beijing Stated-owned Assets Management Co. Ltd as the owner of the National Stadium and the National Aquatics Center and thus started the international architecture design competition of the swimming center. Submission for pre-qualification started on January 15, 2003 and ended at 4 PM of February 20, 2003. The names of the participants after pre-qualification were announced on March 10, 2003 and invitation for participation in the design was sent to them.

March 1, 2003 A press conference was held on the architecture design competition of the swimming center; the result of the pre-qualification on the design was announced. A total of 33 qualified design firms and design consortiums representing twelve different countries including Australia, France, UK, USA, Germany, Greece, Holland, Denmark participated in the competition. With the approval from the Beijing Municipal Government, ten design firms/consortiums were officially selected to participate in the final round.

June 20-28, 2003 Due to the outbreak of SARS, the evaluation process of the architecture design competition was held in Boao, Hainan. A panel of well-known 52 Chinese and foreign designers and operation experts, after nine days of closed evaluation, picked three designs (Plan B04, Plan B07, Plan B10) from a total of 10 submissions as the winners of the excellence awards. IOC regarded the evaluation process as most sober, scientific, and confidential.

July 3,4,6, 2003 Models of the conceptual designs for the National Aquatics Center from ten design firms/consortiums were on show at the Beijing International Exhibition Center to solicit public opinion.

July 29, 2003 The conceptual design for the National Aquatics Center was finalized as Plan B04. Results of expert appraisal, technical feasibility study and votes by the public prove that the B04 Plan is relatively outstanding and feasible. Through negotiations between the Beijing State-owned Asset Management Co Ltd and the design consortium and approved by the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Beijing Municipal Government, the design, named "Water Cube", was picked from the shortlist of three designs.

The winning plan, which was designed by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation jointly with Australia's PTW Architects and Ove Arup Pty Ltd, embodies the notion of "Cube of Water". Besides, it integrates architect design into structural design and is in tune with the National Stadium. Moreover, the design fully meets the requirements for events of the 2008 Olympic Games and is adaptable to after-game operation.

The deal for the venue was officially signed on the morning of July 29 between the Beijing State-owned Asset Management Co Ltd, which owns the center's rights, and the designers. This is the first venue among the sports centers for the 2008 Olympics to have officially signed a design contract.

Sept. 26, 2003 Public invitation for bid on construction and project supervision was released. A total of 13 well-known construction & engineering firms participated in pre-qualification. CIECC, Beijing Shuan Yuan Engineering Consultancy, Beijing Pake Int'l Engineering Consultancy and others entered the final round.

Oct. 20, 2003 A panel of 13 experts formed the evaluation committee announced that Beijing Pake Int'l Engineering Consultancy with No. 1 in both technique and commercial operation as the winner of the bid and thus signed the contract. According to the schedule before groundbreaking, the project supervision unit commenced their work on Oct 20.

Nov. 10, 2003 Public invitation for bid on earthwork and foundation treatment was released. A total of twelve units were pre-qualified. After the strenuous evaluation process, China Railway Construction & Engineering Group, Beijing Mechanical Construction Company, China Xinxing Construction & Development Co. Ltd and others forming a total of 8 were finalized.

Nov. 17, 2003 The invitation for bid on earthwork and foundation treatment was awarded to Beijing Mechanical Construction Company after close evaluation. Currently, the construction work of the National Aquatics Center is on schedule. The construction site has been cleared; the trees and stumps are grubbed; the ground has been backfilled; and workers are installing the site fences. The invitation for bid on the procurement of electrical equipments is being processed.(Provided by: Beijing Stated-owned Assets Management Corp. Ltd)