Related feature: Counting Down to 2008

It's the main focus of China's attention these days.  Everywhere you turn in Beijing, the characters 奥运 stare you in the face.  The one-year countdown to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing is now on, and everyone is gearing up for it in the capital.  Construction continues at break-neck speeds, foreign delegations – and tourists – can be seen in greater and greater numbers and the local campaigns to gentrify the people in the city continue.  So how much have things changed in Beijing over the last few years?  And who is taking advantage of all the change? 

Ni hao, you're listening to People In the Know, your window into the world around you, online at www.crienglish.com here on China Radio International.  In this edition of our show, we'll take a look at what the social and economic significance the Olympics will have.So let's get started.

(Music)

First, to get a picture of the social changes that have occurred in recent years thanks to the preparation for the Olympics, we're joined by Mr. Jaime FlorCruz, CNN Beijing Bureau Chief.

(Dialogue with FlorCruz)

We're going to take a short break, and when we come back, we'll tap a business mind and talk about how they are seizing the financial opportunities brought by the Olympics.

(promo)

Ni hao, you're listening to People In the Know, online at www.crienglish.com here on China Radio International.  I'm Paul James in Beijing.  In this edition of our program, we're talking about the changes and opportunities that go along with the highly-anticipated 2008 Beijing Olympics. To give us a business perspective, we're now joined by Mr. Nick Griffith Director of Olympic Consulting Department, Octagon in Beijing.

(Dialogue with Griffith)

And with that, we wrap up this edition of People In the Know, online at www.crienglish.com here on China Radio International.  We're Ready.  That's the name of the theme song for the countdown to the Olympics next year.  But a lot of work still has to be done to make that song come true.  Questions or comments for us can be sent to crieng@crifm.com.  For Executive Director Wang Lei and Producer Wu Yixiu, I'm Paul James in Beijing, handing over the microphone to my colleague Paris Lord for the next two weeks while I take a much anticipated vacation back to Canada.  Take care, and I’ll talk to you again later on this month.