Beijing hopes to enhance exchangesand cooperation with Britain, London in particular, in holding the Olympic Games and other fields, Liu Qi, president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games, said in Beijing Wednesday.

Liu made the remarks in his meeting with visiting British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who started his eight-day China tour Sunday at the invitation of the Chinese government.

London's winning of the bid for the 2012 Olympic Games offers new opportunities for the two cities to cement bilateral exchanges and cooperation, said Liu, who is also secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

"Having successfully held the Olympic Games twice, London has rich experience in this field." Liu said, adding Beijing is ready to enhance cooperation with London in holding the Olympic Games.

He said Beijing's preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games is well under way. The stadiums and gymnasiums for the Olympic Games are expected to be completed by 2007.

Liu told Prescott Beijing launched the Olympic slogan "One World, One Dream" and mascots named the Friendlies last year.

Prescott expressed appreciation for Beijing's urban development and its preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games. He said Britain is willing to share experience with Beijing and enhance cooperation with China in other fields.

Besides Beijing, Prescott will visit Ningbo, a booming city in east China's Zhejiang Province, Shanghai, China's largest metropolis, and Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

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UK deputy PM interested in Beijing's city planning

Visiting British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott showed great interest in Beijing's city planning and its great changes over the time when he toured a city planning exhibition hall in Beijing Wednesday.

Prescott started his eight-day China tour on Feb. 19 at the invitation of the Chinese government.

The exhibition displays the achievements of modern urban development with more than 1,200 pictures and 20 movies. It also exhibits the future layout of Beijing's urban development.