With less than 300 days to go before the Beijing Games, there is a growing belief in China that the Olympics will bring much-desired financial and economic benefits to the country, according to a recent survey.
The survey was conducted among 1,300 customers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen from July to September by Olympic worldwide partner Visa.
Some 78 percent of respondents in the 20-45 age bracket with family incomes of more than 1,250 yuan ($166.3) per month lauded the Games' net worth when considered this way, up from 68 percent the previous month.
Meanwhile, more people agreed that the Games would positively promote China to the rest of the world, with the percentage climbing from 85 in July to 93 in September.
Seven in 10 said the domestic tourism industry will flourish as a result of the Games -- something they expect to continue long after the closing ceremony.
In order to make it convenient for foreign customers in China, Visa and Bank of China, the official banking partner of the Beijing Games organizing committee, are setting up ATM machines and a POS system at both competition and non-competition venues.
About 25,000 ATM machines for Visa cards have been added throughout China.
In terms of medals won, 62 percent of Chinese think the country can improve on its Athens tally.
