The press centre for the 2008 Olympic Games was inaugurated in Beijing on Monday, to meet the increasing media demand for the information about the city's preparatory work.

Long Xinmin (right), deputy Party secretary of Beijing, accompanies Kaven Gosper, vice president of the IOC's Coordination Commission for the 2008 Olympics to unveil the Beijing Olympic Press Center in Beijing November 1, 2004. The press center, located in the Huabei Hotel in northern Beijing, will serve as a venue for the municipal government and the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympics (BOCOG) to hold press briefings. [newsphoto] Chinese and IOC officials unveil the the Beijing Olympic Press Center November 1, 2004. [newsphoto]  A press conference hall at the center. [newsphoto]

The press center, located at the Huabei Hotel in northen Beijing, will serve as a fixed place for the municipal government and the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympics (BOCOG) to provide media service, hold press conferences, conduct exchanges and host other communication and exhibition activities.

"To provide high-standard media services is an important part of BOCOG's work," said BOCOG vice president Jiang Xiaoyu. 

"The media play an important role in the success of an Olympics," he added.

Jiang also extended his sincere invitation to journalists around the world to cover the Beijing's Olympic preparations and China's development.

Kaven Gosper, vice president of the IOC's Coordination Commission for the 2008 Olympics, also attended the inauguration ceremony.