Xu Chuan, vice-director of the State General Administration of Sports (GAS) mass sports office hopes to see 40 percent of the population exercising regularly by 2010. "'Regular basis' means you exercise at least three times a week at a medium-intense level, and each time you exercise, it should be at least half an hour," he said in a news conference yesterday.

Xu Chuan, vice-director of the State General Administration of Sports (GAS) mass sports office, speaks at a news conference on February 14. [Beijing2008.cn]

Xu said the ultimate goal of sports is to enhance people's health. Along with preparation in professional and competitive games for the 2008 Olympics, GAS has also launched a physical fitness campaign for the masses consisting of 65 special events including climbing and dragon boat racing¹ this year.

In a survey conducted in 2000, 34 percent of people excised² regularly. Xu said another survey is currently being conducted, and he expects the number to grow to around 37 percent.

Xu also noted³ there is still a gap between China and developed countries in terms of the number of people exercising regularly due to economic limitations.

However, he is not worried about people's passion for participating in the special events organized by the government.

"A few years ago, our people were worried about the turnout of the programs we organized. Now we are concerned about how to limit the number of people taking part in these programs," he said