Beijing subway controllers stand on a subway platform inside a new station near the Olympic Stadium during a media tour in Beijing July 19, 2008. Beijing opened two new subway lines and an airport rail express on Saturday ahead of the Olympic Games. [Agencies]

"Letting the people share the fruit of the Games has long been one of our objectives. In effort to ease traffic, we opened new metro lines to extend the total length of track to 200 kilometers from the current 142 kilometers. At the same time, we kept the prices of public transport low."

Liu also referred to the renovation of more than 600 ancient city alleyways, 400 old residential areas and 100-plus main streets in Beijing which improved living conditions for citizens, especially those low-income people who lived in old alleyways, or hutong.

"We will do our utmost to deal with every detail of the preparation work at this critical stage to make sure the 2008 Olympic Games will be a great success."