China launches Olympic volunteer Web site

BEIJING, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The organizers of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing Monday began recruiting volunteers.

The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games and Beijing Olympic Games Volunteer Work Coordination Group launched an on-line application system Monday, China Daily reported.

"It is important in promoting the preparations of the Games, and opens up opportunities for the general public and friends from home and abroad to participate in the Games and serve the Games," Liu Qi, the head of the organizing committee, said of the recruitment effort.

Liu said he hopes volunteers will come from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan as well as from mainland China.