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“Jiayou, Zhongguo, Jiayou.” It means “Let’s go, China, let’s go!” and you’ll hear it a lot at the Beijing Olympics.
Chinese spectators have been issued with official instructions on how to cheer during the Beijing Olympics next month.
The ruling Communist Party and Games organisers have approved a four-step cheering guide developed by the Beijing Etiquette Academy.
The instructions, published in cartoon form in state-run newspapers, tell spectators when and how to clap, what to chant and even how to raise their hands.
The nation-wide campaign includes posters at schools to make sure the 800,000 students attending Olympic events know how to cheer.
There will also be 448 chief cheerleaders helping the spectators at official venues.
Officials claim the campaign is necessary to encourage the normally reserved Chinese to be more extroverted in their support of athletes.
The head of the Etiquette Academy, Li Ning, told the Times Online the rules were designed to teach Chinese people how to show their appreciation and support for the athletes.
The rules are typical of the control the Chinese ruling party is imposing during the Games.
The authorities this week issued a list of 57 do’s and don’t’s during the event, including restrictions on travel and bans on sleeping outdoors.
The Beijing Olympics run from August 8 to 24.