Thumbs up from Hu as he gets taken for a ride

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-6-26  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

PRESIDENT Hu Jintao rode the Beijing metro system yesterday to test the capital's transport preparations for the upcoming Olympic Games.

Hu stepped onto a China Railways High-speed train that shuttles between the Beijing South Railway Station and neighboring Tianjin Municipality.

"The high-speed trains have been a milestone in the history of China's railway development," he told rail officials and stewards while on board. He stressed the need to provide safe and fast service during the August Games.

The inter-city shuttle will transport Olympic spectators, athletes and other passengers during the Games. Some preliminary football matches will be held in Tianjin.

When he returned to the Dongzhimen metro terminal in the capital's downtown, Hu purchased a ticket from an automated machine and test rode the new line to the Beijing International Airport.

"Beijing's metro system has developed quickly, extending its length and coverage. The system has made a great contribution in easing the traffic pressure," Hu said.

"The metro's administrators should provide safe, comfortable and fast transportation for both the Olympic personnel and ordinary citizens during the Games, since the number of visitors from home and abroad will increase a lot."

After the 20-minute ride, Hu reminded waitresses serving in the main hall of the newly-built terminal three at the airport to keep in order and provide decent service, as the spectacular structure, designed by Norman Foster, was the "first gate of the country" that most foreigners saw.

Hu told foreign passengers in the terminal that China would "open its arms to welcome all the friends of the world."

He also inspected the main tower of the airport which handles thousands of flights daily and was delighted to learn that parking bays for aircraft had been increased from 164 to 314.