A concert is expected to be staged in the Bird's Nest next month, which would be the first commercial performance in the National Stadium after the Olympics and Paralympics, pending approval from the authorities.

The organizers are revising a draft plan, Hu Haiyuan, director of the public order division under the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, said on Wednesday.

"We discussed the draft with the organizers early this month and found that it needs much improvement, especially on the arrangement and security measures," Hu said.

Hu said his department was waiting for a formal application along with the revised plan.

The organizers had planned to hold the show during the week-long National Day holiday starting on September 29 this year.

Many domestic and overseas groups had expressed interest in holding performances in the Bird's Nest.

Only small-scale shows will be held in the Olympic central area that comprises the Bird's Nest, Water Cube and other facilities in northern Beijing during the National Day period, since there was little time to prepare for large events, according to Wednesday's Beijing Times.

The Bird's Nest has so far been exclusively used for Olympic and Paralympic activities. After the closing ceremony of the Paralympics to be held here on Wednesday night, it will become a location for daily activities such as sports and cultural events.

Hotels, restaurants and retail outlets will be built in the future and take up about 35 percent of the total area.

(CRIENGLISH.com September 18, 2008)