- 27-Jul-2008

Beijing, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Media operations department of the Olympic media village, some 5 kilometers from the Main Press Center for the Beijing Games, has tried to offer first-class press service to the accredited journalists.

"We are trying our best to satisfy the needs of the press, including their special needs in food, internet and transport," Jiang Lixin, an official in charge of media operations in the village told Xinhua here Saturday.

"We had the rooms redesigned to cater for the specific needs of the press. The restaurants in the village offer long hours of breakfast with both Chinese and Western food. We also set up several media service outlets within the village to ensure timely help," said Jiang, who is leading a 16-strong supporting team.

In the media workrooms in the village, internet access and Info 2008 are available.

The village has tested its service twice before opening to the press. In the latest test, over 1,700 people from all walks of life were invited to live there and were then asked for suggestions.

"We collected over 100 suggestions after the test and made every possible improvement," she added.

The good service won very positive feedback from the domestic and overseas press. An Italian journalist who had covered several Olympic Games said that he had never seen such a good media village in other parts of the world.

"It's just so beautiful," he said.

The media village boasts 16 high-rise buildings with approximately 6,000 rooms. Most of the accredited press will live in the village during the Beijing Olympics.