As Beijing breaks into the one-year countdown to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, foreign media are sparing no expense in gearing up to cover it. Recently, CNN sent out a team of 20 headed by Ellana Lee, CNN's Asia Pacific managing editor, to film a live TV show "Countdown Beijing".  

"When the International Olympic Committee announced in 2001 that Beijing was going to hold the 2008 Olympics, many knew that it was not going to be just about the Games. It is a modernization of a city and a country" said 36-year-old Ellana. Prior to the broadcasting of Countdown Beijing, the EO interviewed Ellana Lee, the youngest yet highest-ranking Korean producer in CNN International. 

EO: How many staff have you taken with you to film "Countdown Beijing" this time? Could you please give a brief introduction of your one-week shooting schedule in Beijing? 

Ellana: A team of about 20; which not only included anchors and correspondents but also a strong supporting staff of producers, technical operators, engineers and cameramen. They have been involved in the logistics, planning and execution of our special week of programming. As for our shooting schedule, preparations for Countdown Beijing started months ago. CNN will be in Beijing for the week of August 6, but we kickstart our week with our special half hour program  Talk Asia over the weekend on Aug 4 and 5 . Anjali Rao, host of Talk Asia, has interviewed Ms. Yang Lan, China's answer to Oprah Winfrey and she has also interviewed Olympic gold medal winner Deng Yaping. For the week of August 6 to 10, Kristie Lu Stout, Andrew Stevens and John Vause will be reporting live from landmark places around Beijing, including the Bird's Nest Stadium and Tiananmen Square.  

EO: Why did you specially design "Countdown Beijing" prior to the Beijing Olympics? CNN’s attention to the Beijing Olympic Games has gone beyond sports and has extended to China’s economic development and the progress of modernization. From your stand of point, what is the significance or implication of this Olympic to Beijing?  

Ellana: When the IOC announced in 2001 Beijing was going to hold the 2008 Olympics, many knew that it was not going to be just about the Games. It is a modernization of a city and a country.  I myself, am from South Korea and I saw the mark left by the Games afterwards in terms of modernization. There are a lot of advantages that come from hosting the Olympics.   I think it is very fortunate for us to be able to cover this story one year before the Games begin. I think that is the inspiration behind the programming for Countdown Beijing. The Olympics is not just a sporting story for China or for Beijing. This is China’s party and China is on the world stage, so this is an opportunity for China to showcase its people, its city and show just how far it has come.  

EO: "Made-in-China" has encountered a credit crisis in the European and U.S markets. How does this affect your life and the people around you?