Beijing, host of the 2008 Olympic Games, launched a campaign to seek a slogan that will help project an "exciting image" of the city and the country as a whole.

"The slogan, in both Chinese and English, should be easy to read and remember, and one that can be understood and shared by people from different cultures," Zhang Ming, Deputy Director of the Beijing Organising Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games (BOCOG) Culture and Ceremonies Department, told reporters at Beijing, on Monday.

Submissions can be mailed to BOCOG's Culture and Ceremonies Department, or sent via e-mail to enhua@beijing-olympic.org.cn by January 31, 2005, Zhang said.

"The slogan will be unveiled in the first half of next year. A series of promotional activities have also been planned to follow up," Zhang said while indicating that no prize money will be given to winners. However, the winner could get a honorary certificate.

"New Beijing, Great Olympics" was the slogan Beijing used during its bid process. BOCOG hopes a new slogan can reflect the themes of the 2008 Olympics, namely "Green Olympics", "High-tech Olympics" and "People's Olympics", and the universal values of the Olympic Movement as well.

"Previous experiences have showed that Olympic slogan is an important platform to promote the sporting event. We hope the slogan will help present an exciting image of Beijing and China to the world," Zhang said.

"Share the Spirit" was the slogan for Sydney Olympics, "Light the Fire Within" was used for the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, while "Welcome Home" was used for the Athens Games.