BOCOG President Liu Qi called for a joint effort from the public in the Games preparations and to contribute to staging "a high-level Olympics with distinguishing features."

Scene of the oath-taking rally

Liu, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Secretary of the Beijing Municipal CPC Committee, made the remarks at an oath-taking rally held at the Beijing Conference Center for the approaching one-year countdown to the Games.

State Councilor and BOCOG First Vice-President Chen Zhili delivered a speech at the meeting, and Beijing Mayor and BOCOG Executive President Wang Qishan chaired the meeting.

Liu urged all of society to work together for a successful Olympics, with the 2008 Olympic Games just 380 days away.

Liu said that the spirit of creativity and teamwork shall come into play, and services will improve for the trade sector.

"We shall create a beautiful, clean urban environment, keep making improvements to accomplish the Olympic preparatory work, build a completely safe and stable social environment," and strive for the Good Luck Beijing Sports Events, he stressed.

Addressing the meeting, Chen Zhili pointed out that all relevant departments and universities shall have increased responsibility and take part in the preparatory work.

Present at the meeting were Li Xueyong, Vice Minister of Science and Technology; Sun Jiazheng, Minister of Culture; and Liu Peng, Minister of the General Administration of Sports and BOCOG Executive President.

Over 1,600 representatives from the central and municipal governments, BOCOG and other sectors attended the meeting.