The needs of all religious people will be met during next year's Olympics, a top religious affairs official said yesterday.
"Under the leadership of Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympics, we are studying the practices adopted by previous host countries in order to meet the needs of all athletes and visitors," said Ye Xiaowen, director of the State Administration of Religious Affairs.
"I promise the religious services provided during the Beijing Games will be as good as any provided at previous Games," Ye told reporters on the sidelines of the ongoing Party congress.
The construction of religious facilities is progressing smoothly, he said.
A religious service center will be set up in the Olympic Village to provide a diverse range of services to meet the needs of athletes from various religions, explained a spokesperson for the Games' organizers.
Athletes and those who accompany them will be able to enjoy different dishes specially made in accordance with their religious beliefs, the spokesperson added.
Liu Bainian, vice-president of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, said a temporary Catholic church will be set up in the Olympic Village and all churches in Beijing will be open to Catholic visitors.
Religious services and information will be available in Beijing and each of the six co-host cities.
Beijing is expected to receive about 500,000 overseas visitors for the 29th Summer Olympiad, which runs from August 8-24 next year.
Ye said religion plays an increasingly important role in the country's economic and social development.
Under new religious freedom guidelines, the government is keen to respect the beliefs of its citizens, protect their interests and make efforts to encourage their participation in social development, he said.
"We should take positive measures to facilitate the role of religion in building a harmonious society," Ye said.
Figures show that in 1997, China was home to about 100 million religious believers, mostly Buddhists, Taoists, Protestants, Catholics and Muslims.
Ye said more recent figures are unavailable but suggested the numbers of Buddhists, Taoists and Christians were rising.
The country has so far published more than 42 million copies of the Bible in various languages. There has also been an increase in demand for other religious publications.
Questions:
1. What has Ye Xiaowen, director of the State Administration of Religious Affairs promised about religious services during next year’s Olympics?
2. Visiting Catholics will be able to go to which churches?
3. Around how many overseas visitors are expected in Beijing for the Olympics?
4. What is the number of copies of the Bible has China published?
Answers:
1.That the services provided will be as good as previous Games.
2.The temporary one in the Olympic Village and all churches in Beijing.
3.About 500,000.
4.42 million.
（英语点津 Celene 编辑）
About the broadcaster:
Bernice Chan is a foreign expert at China Daily Website. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Bernice has written for newspapers and magazines in Hong Kong and most recently worked as a broadcaster for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, producing current affairs shows and documentaries.
