BEIJING, March 9 -- Qingdao City in east China is "full of confidence" in hosting a successful sailing competition of the 29th Olympic Games in August, Mayor Xia Geng said Sunday.

       The seaside city in Shandong Province has prepared first-class venues, tight security measures, and rapid and convenient transport for the Aug. 9-23 event, the mayor said.

       Xia also dismissed worries about food safety.

       "We have launched a special project to ensure Olympic food safety since 2004," he said, speaking on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's parliament.

       "No problem has been found about food safety during two Olympic test events held here in 2006 and 2007," he said.

       Qingdao, with clean air and beautiful scenery, is expected to attract 200,000 visitors when the sailing event is held.