CNN's 'Countdown Beijing'

BEIJING, China (CNN) -- CNN International airs "Countdown Beijing," a special week of programming running August 4-12.

The week of live coverage from the Chinese capital examines China's preparations for the 2008 Olympics.

CNN hears from athletes and construction workers, business people, artists and environmentalists as it takes the pulse of a city seeking to define a global view of contemporary China.

Throughout the week, Kristie Lu Stout reports live from locations around Beijing for CNN's award-winning, morning news program "CNN Today," while Andrew Stevens reports live for the Asia evening prime-time show, "World News Asia." In addition, CNN's Beijing correspondent John Vause reports from the capital and beyond on the impact of the XXIX Olympiad.

"Talk Asia," CNN's in-depth interview program, hears from a remarkable line up of Olympic and artistic greats throughout the week. The first program sees host Anjali Rao sit down with 'China's Oprah Winfrey' and Olympic ambassador Yang Lan, while the next features Deng Yaping, Chinese female athlete of the century and four time Gold medal winner, who explains her new role in charge of the city's Olympic village.

Reports airing in CNN programming throughout the week to more than 200 million households globally include:

An interview with the Pritzker Prize-winning architects, Jacques Herzog and Pierre De Meuron, designers of the two striking biometric structures and showpiece venues for next year's Olympics, the 'Birds Nest' national stadium and the 'Water Cube' aquatics center.

A look at the high-pressure daily life of one of China's elite gold medal favorites, Guo Jingjing. CNN visits her home, talks to her about her training and asks her whether the weight of national expectation is a help or a hindrance.

Beijing is planning for clear, blue skies during the Games. CNN looks at what the city has in store to clean up its air, including the creation of rain.

FULL TV SCHEDULE ON CNN INTERNATIONAL

CNN TODAY
Kristie Lu Stout reports live from Beijing for CNN TODAY throughout the week. Special reports also air throughout CNN news and business programming. (All times local)

Monday - Friday, August 6-10
0700-1500 Shanghai/Beijing/Hong Kong
0430 - 1230 New Delhi
0100 - 0900 Berlin
0000 - 0800 London

TALK ASIA
Hosted by Anjali Rao in Beijing, Talk Asia interviews Yang Lan and Deng Yaping on consecutive weekends.

Saturday, August 4
0730, 2300 Beijing/Shanghai/Hong Kong
0500, 2030 New Delhi
0030, 1600 London
1100, 2030 New York
0930 Tokyo
0930 Sydney

Sunday, August 5
2100 Beijing/Shanghai/Hong Kong
1830 New Delhi
0130, 1400 London
0900 New York
0100, 1030, 2300 Tokyo
0100, 2300 Sydney

Saturday, August 11
0730, 2300 Beijing/Shanghai/Hong Kong
0500, 2030 New Delhi
0030, 1600 London
1100, 2030 New York
0930 Tokyo
0930 Sydney

Sunday, August 12
2100 Beijing/Shanghai/Hong Kong
1830 New Delhi
0130, 1400 London
0900 New York
0100, 1030, 2300 Tokyo
0100, 2300 Sydney

WORLD NEWS ASIA
Andrew Stevens reports live from Beijing for World News Asia throughout the week. Special reports also air throughout CNN news and business programming. (All times local)

Monday - Friday, August 6-10
1900-2130 Beijing/Shanghai/Hong Kong
1630-1900 New Delhi
1300-1530 Berlin
1200-1430 London

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