"Human glories are bound to converge in a historical moment," so goes a Western philosophical saying, which, it happens, has been attested in the past 16 days-human glories and dreams ride on the crest of success in the ancient but modernized Beijing.

　　To follow the popular practice, a number of key words would be chosen to reflect and epitomize the Beijing Olympic Games. No matter from a rational understanding in a broad sense or from a passionate perceptual impulsive feeling, a word has all along been surging in the heart---promise.

　　Honoring and acting up to the promise is one of the most valuable traditions in the long-lasting history of civilization of the Chinese nation and likewise the moral integrity and personality that all Chinese treasure most. Thereupon, Beijing made a promise to the world with such solemn forceful words when China applied for hosting the Olympic Games seven years ago: "No matter what choice you make today, it will be written in the history, but only one decision can make the history."

　　The world chose China, and China made a solemn commitment to the history, to wit, to hold an "Olympic Games with distinguishing quality and high level".

　　Whether the promise is delivered or not is up for the athletes, officials and media from all over the world to verify, judge and confirm.

　　The peak level of competition displayed by the athletes unparalleled in the one hundred years of history of the Olympic Games has turned Beijing into a shining and starlight "city of miracles". The Olympic Village, in which more than 14,000 athletes and officials from 204 countries and regions were accommodated, set a precedent in the history of the Olympiad with a "zero-complaint" service. Tens of stadiums and gymnasiums hosting world-level competitions at the same time and the traffic and the security systems had been operating in a highly effective, smooth, orderly and sound manner.The air quality that somebody had been worrying about has reached the standard.

　　The well-informed Gilber Felli, the executive director of the IOC, praised the games with five "satisfactions". Jacques Rogge, president of the IOC, deliberated for days and made an appropriate praise in his speech in the closing ceremony that the Beijing Olympic Games is a "truly unmatched one".

　　The promise is delivered in the way that can stand up to any scrutiny of the entire world--it features solidarity, friendship and peace!

　　By Zheng Shuyan

　　(Aug 25, PLA Daily)                                                     Editor: Dong Zhaohui