Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (Front) inspects the Beas River venue for the cross-country competition of the equestrian events during the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, in Hong Kong, south China yesterday.- Xinhua

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping inspected the equestrian events venues for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Paralympics yesterday afternoon in Hong Kong to get firsthand information about Hong Kong's preparations for the Games.

Xi inspected the racecourses for the equestrian events at the Beas River and Shatin in the New Territories of Hong Kong.

Following the inspection, Xi was briefed on the preparation work for the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events by Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government Donald Tsang and other HKSAR government officials.

Xi said the HKSAR government has put huge human, material and financial resources into the preparations and has done a lot of effective work to ensure a success of the Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong.

He said Hong Kong has made several world records in the construction of venues and supporting facilities, which has not only been fully recognized by the International Olympic Committee, but also created favorable conditions for the equestrian events.

The Olympic equestrian events will run from Aug. 9 to 21, with jumping and dressage events to be held at Shatin and the cross country competition at the Beas River.

Xi also said the opportunity of co-hosting the Beijing Olympics is not only Hong Kong's honor, but also its responsibility, which will be conducive to improving the image of Hong Kong as an international metropolis, demonstrating the successful implementation of the principle of "one country, two systems" and promoting sports activities in Hong Kong.

He expressed the hope that the SAR government can strive to implement the concept of "Green Olympics, High-tech Olympics and People's Olympics", and achieve the goal of running the Games with maximum safety.

The all-weather surface main arena at Shatin, where most of the Olympic equestrian competitions will be staged, has grandstand seating for around 18,000 spectators and hi-tech floodlighting appropriate for High Definition TV broadcasting.

Four equine cooling stations, including misting tents and plentiful supplies of chilled water, are located around the venue to cool the Olympic horses after training or competition. Mobile cooling units, another unique feature, will also be in use throughout the Olympics and Paralympics.

The cross-country for the Eventing competition will be held at the Beas River.

Xi emphasized the importance of the events' security and food safety, saying that security must also be guaranteed for the people, horses and society to ensure a "safe Olympics".

Xi arrived in Hong Kong yesterday morning from Shenzhen on a three-day inspection tour.