BOC Actively Prepares for Paralympic Games of Equal Splendor

September 6, 2007 was the one-year countdown to the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. Several days later, Good Luck Beijing 2007 International Goalball Tournament, as the first Paralympic Game test event, will kick off at Beijing Institute of Technology. Outside the gymnasium, BOC staff was found busily debugging the game-time financial service facilities.

As the chief sponsor of Good Luck Beijing Test Events, Bank Of China has been providing game-time financial service to the events since this July. This Goalball Tournament, as one key test for Beijing Paralympic Games venues, facilities and BOC s game-time financial services, draw special attention from the bank.

As stipulated by BOCOG, the two Games need simultaneous preparation for equal splendor . Bank Of China therefore, as the only banking partner of Beijing Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, has equal responsibility to ensure the success of both games. In 2008, the Paralympic athletes, officials, media and audience all over the world will get together in Beijing, where 18 out of the 20 Paralympic events will be held (except for 2 in Hong Kong and Qingdao). As a result, the Paralympic Games set new requirement to BOC s financial service.

To better serve the two Games, BOC has launched the strategy that focuses on the outlets in Beijing area. It has been equipping its outlets with ramp for wheelchairs, lower counter, usher and barrier-free signs as required by Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the aspect of hardware, various barrier-free facilities are widely promoted at all outlets; and people with a disability are invited for trial usage for feedbacks.

As of present, most outlets under BOC Beijing Branch have fulfilled barrier-free reconstruction: barrier-free signs have been properly distributed; duty managers are responsible to guide the usage of self-service facilities for customers with a disability. More self-service facilities will be installed at athletes village, contracted hotels and designated hospitals.

Besides traditional barrier-free designs, the option of seeing eye dog is also taken into consideration. During the game time, BOC will gradually adopt more barrier-free facilities in order to provide convenient financial service to customers with special needs.

In terms of software, BOC emphasizes on enriching the means of information exchange for people with a disability. Various trainings courses, such as gesture language and etiquette are opened for front-line staff and lobby managers at the hosting cities; printing of the Braille version of main business and service guideline are also under way.

Before 2008, BOC plans to open 80 new outlets in Beijing and install 25 ATM and 2000 POS machines in Olympic area, which can offer barrier-free service and take the special needs of Paralympic Games into account. Such preparation for Beijing Paralympic Games will further enhance BOC s service standards.

In a country with about 100 million people with a disability in China, accounting for 1/6 of the world number, Bank Of China has been supporting the course in China.

On May 21, 2006 the 16th National Day for Aiding People with a Disability, BOC Tianjin Branch, together with Tianjin Sports Bureau and Tianjin Welfare Foundation, held activity themed The true understanding and care for people with a disability welcome the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games and assist people with a disability at Tianjing Auditorium Square. Tianjin Branch donated 100,000 worth of facilities and 71,000 fund donated by its staff to the Foundation, showing its care and support to the course.

The realization the concept of Beijing Paralympic Games calls for active participation and dedication of the whole society. At this special moment, Bank Of China will be engaged in more active preparation so as to ensure equal splendor of the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games.