Photo taken on Feb. 23, 2008 shows the outer view of the National Aquatics Center at night in Beijing, capital of China. The National Aquatics Center, nicknamed the "Water Cube", covered with more than 3,000 Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) air cushions, is not only the first of its kind in China, but also the world's largest and most complex ETFE project. It was built in accordance with a water-saving design concept, a gigantic green architectural wonder. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The city has spent 40 billion U.S. dollars on infrastructure, including a new airport terminal and subway lines, as well as 2.1 billion U.S. dollars to cover the cost of running the Games.

    The torch relay, now progressing on Chinese soil, is the longest ever in the Olympic history, lasting 130 days and covering 137,000 kilometers (85,000 miles) worldwide.

    The holy flame was also carried to the top of the Mt. Qomolangma for the first time in history, a grand ascent hailed by the whole world as heroism.

    Even after the massive quake rocked southwest China's Sichuan province on May 12 and already claimed around 70,000 lives, the organizers quickly picked up themselves from mourning and continued the fine-tuning on the Games.

    "The Chinese people have pledged to the world to host a successful Olympic Games. To honor those killed in the earthquake, my colleagues and I feel obliged to make the Beijing Olympics a great success," said Wang Pingjiu, a staff member of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG).

    Beijing subway passengers have been receiving security checks starting from June 29 as China beefs up security.

    National-level anti-terrorist drills were launched to prepare the security forces against chemical attacks, hijacking and other possible contingencies. Sniffer dogs will be brought into the capital to help detect explosives.

    Beginning from June, the country's postal service has suspended mailing parcels containing liquids until Oct. 31, following a previous liquid ban introduced in April on carry-on baggage in domestic flights.

    Since being awarded the 2008 Games seven years ago, Beijing has engaged in an aggressive effort to clean up the capital's air pollution and ease traffic on the clogged highways. The city has spent nearly more than 15 billion U.S. dollars on anti-pollution measures such as moving factories and adding subway.

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