Special report:   2008 Olympic Games    

    BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Beijing policeman Liu Wenli hopes to present stories about his city to tourists from around the world in their mother tongues before and during the Olympic Games.

    "I have a dream, which is to show the world the new Beijing with fluent foreign languages." Next month's Olympics in the Chinese capital will be a chance for Liu to realize that dream.

    The 41-year-old, who is able to speak 13 foreign languages, such as English, French, German, Russian and Spanish, among others, is responsible for the security at Jingshan Park, a royal garden in Xicheng District, a favorite scenic spot of foreign tourists.

    "Frankly speaking, I speak English and French well. With respect to the others, I can speak simple words like 'hello' and 'good bye.'"

    Liu said the Olympiad would be a good opportunity for him to present the changes in Beijing to foreign tourists. The city estimated it would welcome about 500,000 overseas tourists during the sporting spectacular.

    Liu, a high-school graduate, first started to learn English in 1995 after he failed to communicate with a foreign lady while on duty.

    "From then on, I indulged myself in reading English books, listening to English radio programs and reciting English words and phrases."

    In 2001, he was selected to participate in a national English contest and to everyone's surprise, he won the championship.

    Encouraged by the achievement, he learned French in a similar way.

    Famous for his language abilities, Liu has also been selected to be an Olympic torchbearer in Beijing.

    Liu said he was looking forward to helping foreigners during the Games by telling them Beijing's history and the changes in the city in recent years.