������������������������������������ 24 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 13, 2008 Qingdao reaps gold from Olympic development Mayor says city benefits a lot from vestment to the city exceeded In 2007 the local government industries,” said the mayor. der construction. $17 billion over the past five approved 1,068 foreign-invest- He noted that the city of The income of the local hosting Olympic sailing competition years, accounting for 60 ed projects with a combined Qingdao spent about 80 bil- residents has followed suit. percent of the total in the investment of $3.83 billion. Its lion yuan in infrastructure Average income of urban resi- 30 years since the country’s port handled 9.4 million units of construction over the past five dents increased by 15.4 percent By Zhang Xiaomin witnessed one of the best and reform and opening up began containers, while the number of years. People in the city can annually and rural residents by fastest-growing periods in in 1978. The city approved 17 passengers through its airport now reach any part of Qingdao 12.2 percent over the five-year its history. Its gross domestic large foreign-invested projects reached 7.8 million. within an hour by car or public period. QINGDAO: “The Olympic sail- product (GDP) continued to each exceeding $100 million Tourism revenues broke the transport. “Qingdao will continue ing competition is promoting grow at an annual average in value and 61 projects over 40-billion-yuan mark last year Its list of major projects to benefit from the Olympic the city’s image to the world and rate of 16 percent and hit 378.6 $50 million. Fifty-six projects with over 30 million visitors include completion of the sailing event for at least the bringing significant changes," billion yuan ($54.9 billion) last funded by Fortune 500 compa- arriving in Qingdao. Olympic Sailing Center and next 10 years. The city will said Xia Geng, mayor of the port year,” the mayor said. nies started operation during “Using the opportunity pro- two major highways across be more competitive and more city in Shandong province. The Olympic sailing regatta the period. vided by hosting the Olympics, the city along with expansion open to the outside world,” In fact benefits are already has also made the port city bet- Now 166 Fortune 500 compa- Qingdao moved big polluters of its train station and airport. said Xia. apparent, Xia said, noting ter known to the world business nies have operations in Qingd- out of the city and introduced The Jiaoji Railway from Qing- By 2010, the GDP of the city Qingdao has developed rapidly community. Growing numbers ao, including GE, Volkswagen, service companies such as fi- dao to Jinan was modernized. is expected to reach 490 billion since it won the bid to host the of multinationals have invested Toyota and LG, according to nance, logistics and education. A channel tunnel and a bridge yuan, when the port will handle Olympic sailing event. in Qingdao. the Qingdao Foreign Trade and We are building Qingdao into a across Jiaozhou Bay connecting 12 million units of containers, “In the past 5 years, Qingdao Actual inflow of foreign in- Economy Bureau. city featuring modern service Qingdao and its suburbs are un- according to Xia. Hot on their sail Sailors of 470 class race in tight contention yesterday. The 470 class will begin its fifth and sixth races today. Ju Chuanjiang Sailing Azon sisters set sights high Services win high By Guo Xin praise from world By Zhang Ying 100 for lunch and dinner. QINGDAO: Spanish sisters Bruno Prada, a Brazilian sail- Monica Azon and Sandra Azon or in the Star class, celebrated have gone all out to realize QINGDAO: International his 37th birthday in the village. their Olympic dreams in Qing- athletes, coaches and sports “It was a big surprise. Thank dao. The sailing siblings in the officials continue to praise ser- you very much for everything,” Yngling class are now in 14th vices at the Qingdao Olympic he said with a big smile. place after the first six races. sailing competition four days The village provides services “The Olympic Games is the after races began. ranging from security, trans- highest level of sports. It gath- “Everything is fabulous in portation, reception, religious ers the world’s top athletes. All Qingdao — the venues, hotels services, medical care and we want to do is to bring out and other facilities,” said David cultural exhibitions to accom- the best in us,” said Monica, Kellett, vice-president of the In- modation and food, business current world No 6 in the Yn- ternational Sailing Federation. assistance and competition gling class. Qingdao’s hotels are offer- information. ing special services for both Exhibitions include the athletes and fans. The Haiqing "Dynamic China" folk customs It is very interesting Hotel serves competitors local display, the Shandong Culture to sail together with and Western food, Muslim diets Show and a Chinese garment and cuisines in other regional photo exhibition. my sister, we are styles. “I’m enjoying my stay here, good partners in The Shangri-La Hotel has where the food is good and the opened its new Café Yum, a competition venue is very close. competition. Not all leisure restaurant designed It is really a joy and convenient sisters can have this for the Olympics, that presents to live in the village,” said Kalle special experience. Western, Japanese, Korean Torlen a competitor in the 49er Spanish sisters Monica Azon (first right) and Sandra Azon (first left) fit their boat ahead of the and Southeast Asian dishes class from Sweden. MONICA AZON Yngling races. Ju Chuanjiang in addition to China’s local The local government has specialties. invested enormous funds to World No 6 in the Yngling class 2006 European Yngling since their childhood. Tennis, like taking care of a baby,” Other hotels in the city have renovate roads, enlarge the air- Championship. Sandra was basketball, bicycling and sail- said Monica. employed waiters and wait- port, buy new buses and build the women’s 470-class silver ing were all great fun for the “Qingdao is a beautiful city, it resses from Japan and South more public parking facilities in The sisters told China Daily medalist at the Athens 2004 little Azons. has changed a great deal com- Korea to create a home-like recent years, greatly improving that their goal in the Games was Olympic Games. Monica’s elder brother and pared with the past two years, environment for guests from city transportation. to reach top five. The Azon sisters have been sister were well-known young the environment is improved those nations. Qingdao Liuting Internation- Qingdao is no stranger to sailing for 25 years since sailing stars in their hometown. and the air is much cleaner,” About 700 athletes and team al Airport has won wide praise the Azons. They participated childhood. Influenced by them, Monica Sandra said. officials are staying in the from visitors after receiving in both the 2006 and 2007 “To us, sailing is life,” said and Sandra became interested “Sometimes people ask ‘when Qingdao Olympic Village, just three upgrades over the past Qingdao International Sailing Sandra. in sailing and finally made it you stop sailing what will you a two-minute walk from the five years. Regattas. Monica is one year older their career. do?’ and I say I don’t know. I competition venue. The Qingdao city govern- They arrived back in Qingdao than Sandra. "We two enrolled “It is very interesting to sail never think of a life without The village has over 400 ment also invested 240 mil- at the beginning of last month at a sailing school together, I together with my sister, we are sailing,” said Sandra. rooms, one dining hall for lion yuan ($34.9 million) to and have spent more than was just 8 at the time", said good partners in competition,” “We may come to Qingdao 450 people and a visitor’s replace 1,200 buses in the four hours each day training Sandra. said Monica, the skipper. “Not again together with our fam- restaurant, all open 24 hours past two years. at sea. There are four children in the all sisters can have this special ily and friends,” said Monica, a day. The Qingdao Transportation Monica and Sandra were Azon family. Monica’s father is experience.” “Of course, our next trip here Western food accounts for 70 Committee opened special bus Danish sailors compete in the the 2002 and 2006 world an enthusiastic sports fan. He “We check our boat and take will not be for competition, percent of the total prepared. routes for the Olympic sailing 49er class yesterday. champions in the Yngling developed his children’s inter- care of it carefully each time but for vacation,” Sandra Olympic residents can choose competition, with 300 buses Ju Chuanjiang class. They also won the est and enthusiasm in sports before and after sailing, just said. from 80 breakfast items and directly serving the event. Laser results after two races 7. Olga Maslivets (Ukraine) 36 10. David Mier y Teran (Mexico) 44 Women’s 470 results Laser Radial results two races RESULTS 1. Andrew Murdoch (New Zealand) 7 8. Chan Wai Kei (Hong Kong) 39 1. Elise Rechichi/Tessa Parkinson (Austra- 1. Anna Tunnicliffe, United States, 9 2. Diego Romero (Italy) 9 9. Yasuko Kosuge (Japan) 42 Men’s 470 results lia) 8 points 2. Evi Van Acker, Belgium, 11 3. Julio Alsogaray (Argentina) 13 10. Tuuli Petaja (Finland) 48 1. Malcolm Page/Nathan Wilmot (Australia) 2. Natalia Via Dufresne/Laia Lluisa Tutzo 3. Sarah Steyaert, France, 112 4.