Jiang Xiaoyu (right) together with Madan Chan (left) unveiled the work.

 Starting from July 12, a deep red handicraft work catches eyes of visitors to the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG).

   The work, a miniature of typical Chinese imperial palace gate, is called the National Gate, made of red sandalwood and donated by Madam Chan Laiwa, curator of China Red Sandalwood Museum.

   On 13, July 2001, the day Beijing won the bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games, Madam Chan expressed her will to donate a "National Gate" to BOCOG. Five years later, her word came true. On Wednesday, a handover ceremony was held at the Olympic Tower, BOCOG headquarters. Now the Gate is seated on the eastern section of BOCOG reception hall.

   The Gate, characterized by tenon-mortise craftsmanship, is 273 cm wide, 88.5 cm deep and 48 cm high. It consists of five compartments plus operable windows and doors, along with different ornaments such as immortals, birds and beasts on its roof ridges.

   It took 100-plus artisans more than two years to meticulously complete the work.

   According to Madam Chan, the Gate symbolizes China's open-up to welcome the sportsmen and guests from all over the world to be in the Olympics.

   BOCOG Executive Vice President Jiang Xioayu unveiled the Gate together with the donor.

Jiang Xiaoyu presents a souvinir to Madam Chan. Madam Chan and BOCOG staff before the Gate

. The fine work catches visitors' eyes The magnificent Gate