China invites GMA to Games

China invited on Monday President Arroyo to visit Beijing and watch the Olympic Games that Beijing will be hosting this year.

The Chinese government’s invitation to the President was announced by Ambassador Song Tao during the celebration of the Chinese Spring Festival at the Manila Hotel on Monday evening.

“2008 will be a very important year for the Chinese People as we will mark the 30th anniversary of China’s opening up and reform and the Olympic Games will be held in Beijing,” Song said. “It is our wish that the Filipino athletes will achieve good results in the Games. We warmly welcome President Arroyo and Filipino friends to go to China and watch the games.”

Song thanked Mrs. Arroyo for her presence at the gala night, saying it not only spoke for the Filipinos’ best wishes to the Chinese people, but also demonstrated the importance the President and the government attached to the Philippine-China relations.

“As all of us can feel, it is also the Philippine government’s recognition of the Filipino-Chinese society’s contribution to the economic development and social progress of the Philippines,” he said.

The 2008 Summer Olympics will be held from Aug. 8, 2008 to Aug. 24, 2008 with the opening ceremony commencing at the Beijing National Stadium in Beijing.

Some events, including football (soccer), sailing, and new 10 km marathon swimming events will be held in other cities of China. With the equestrian events being held in Hong Kong, this marks only the third time the same edition of the Olympic Games has been hosted by two National Olympic Committees (NOCs).