BEIJING, June 30, 2008 -- On Monday morning, a ceremony celebrating Olympic volunteers was held in Beijing. Present at the congregation were Liang Wei, a member of the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPC and vice-director of the Beijing Olympic Volunteer Work Coordination Group and Liu Jian, director of the BOCOG Volunteer Department. They were joined by other leaders of related Olympic departments and over 500 volunteers from all over Beijing.

Liang and a representative of China Mobile awarded volunteers with flags. Liu announced the establishment of 500 Beijing Olympic Games volunteer service centers.

The volunteers together voiced their excitement to participate in the Games, and proudly declared the duties and responsibilities they have. They promised to spread the volunteer spirit, to fully participate in the Games, to serve to the best of their abilities, and to use warm, sincere attitudes to provide excellent services.

According to reports, about 200,000 volunteers have participated in numerous Olympic-related activities since 2007.

Thanks to the support and enthusiasm of the world's citizens, about 2,070,000 people have signed up to be volunteers. Starting from July 1, 400,000 official volunteers will begin serving in Olympic capacities, by offering information, emergency and language services, etc. to domestic and foreign media, guests, members of the Olympic family, and any others who are in need of help.