A woman performs behind a giant drum with Beijing Olympics logo in Beijing March 2, 2007. More than 350,000 Chinese have applied to be volunteers at next year's Beijing Olympics and Paralympics in the first six months of the recruitment campaign, organisers said on Thursday. [Photo: REUTERS]

The Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games, or BOCOG will recruit Chinese-speaking volunteers from all over the world.

BOCOG offcials say the Committee will launch the international recruitment later this month, while Chinese embassies in foreign countries will help receive the applications.

It was learnt that between 80,000 and 100,000 volunteers are needed for the 2008 Olympics, scheduled to open on Aug. 8, 2008.

There have been 350,000 people applying to work as a volunteer at the Beijing Olympics since domestic recruitment began last August.

BOCOG has also received applications from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, as well as some from foreign nationals.

The BOCOG says at least 5,000 "professional volunteers" are needed to provide interpretation and company service exclusively for VIPs at the Games.