From 2001 until now, total investment in the 2008 Beijing Olympics has reached 295 billion yuan, said Liuzhi, deputy secretary-general of the Beijing Municipal People's Government, at a press conference on August 4.

The figure comprises the Games' operational funding, venue construction costs and infrastructure investment.

Liuzhi said Beijing spent a total of 280 billion yuan (some $40.9 billion USD) between 2001 and 2007 on infrastructure, energy and transportation projects, and water supply and environment constructions; allocated funds for Olympic venue construction were no more than 13 billion yuan; and the operational budget did not exceed 2 billion yuan.

By People's Daily Online