Olympic Village Apartments

China is set to register a larger population in the online world in 2008, according to a recent survey by the China Internet Network Information Center. With 73 million new network users in 2007, taking the total pool of 210 million, China is only 5 million Internet users behind the United States, which led the world in terms of connectivity . And there is room for growth, like China, the ratio of current Internet penetration of 16 percent is well below the world average of 19.1 percent.

News from China
Golden Down - previously one of China's "Golden Week" national public holidays, the May Day break is over. New regulations have reduced the three days off in one day, while four traditional Chinese festivals - Tomb Sweeping Day, Dragon Boat Festival and Mid Autumn Eve Lunar New Year - have become one-day holidays . In addition, the female population are now also allowed a half-day holiday service on the International Women's Day (March 8), children under 14 years can take a break on Children's Day (June 1) , and active duty soldiers get a half-day off on August 1. Too bad if you're an office worker in males over the age of 14 years.

A bicycle built for two - The Beijing government is to pedal fast enough to encourage people to forget the car and back on a bike. In recent months, a number of new bike rental companies have begun to appear throughout the city. Close to subway stations and shopping streets, bike stations allow customers to pay a deposit, take a bike and drop it off at one of dozens of other bike stations when you're done.
Trillions Tourism

For the first time, revenues from tourism in China has surpassed one trillion in 2007 to RMB1.09 billion (U.S. $ 137.92 billion), according to the National Tourism Administration of China. The number of incoming passengers exceeded 132 million, up 5.5 per cent on 2006 figures, and more than 54 million people spent the night, up 9.6 percent. The influx has created an estimated 500,000 jobs opportunities in the tourism sector.

Olympic Update
Beijing National Aquatics Center, aka the Water Cube, was officially unveiled on January 28 and an Olympic test event in the establishment will be held on February 5. Taking four years to build the U.S. $ 130 million building is composed of a series of membranes in blue, creating a distinctive "double bubble" appearance. In August 2008, more than 42 gold medals will be distributed within the Centre, which houses 6,000 permanent and 11,000 temporary seats for spectators.

The Beijing Capital Airport Express Line - express rail linking Beijing with its airport - will begin test runs on April 1 and should be fully operational by July 1. The extension of the central transport hub of Dongzhimen to Beijing Capital Airport, stopping at the station Sanyuanqiao, Airport Terminal Station T3, T2 and the terminal station, 28.1 km (17.4 mile ) line hovering above the traffic, whisk passengers to the airport was 17 minutes fast. Needless to say that taxi drivers are not happy that their most lucrative route may be compromised.

The Beijing Olympic Village - apartments for athletes from 205 delegations - is preparing for a July opening. Located less than three kilometers (1.86 miles) from the Bird's Nest, the village also features fitness within and training centers, a jogging track, tennis, basketball and volleyball, recreational facilities such as Internet cafes, amusement games and DVDs, worship and meditation halls, and an urgent consultation and comprehensive and provides for detection of doping.

Protecting its young - The Forbidden City and the Great Wall, like, sooo yesterday. The Beijing Municipal Government announced recently that it is now focusing on the protection of monoliths previously on modern architecture.