National Aquatics Center

BEIJING, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The National Aquatic Center, known as the Water Cube, was delivered for use on Monday after four years construction.

"It looks very, very beautiful. It has very friendly atmospherehere," said ARD German Radio correspondent Astrid Freyeisen.

With a seating capacity of 17,000, the Water Cube will host swimming, diving, synchronized swimming competitions during this summer's Olympics. Its facilities will be tested during the upcoming China Open swimming championships which run from Jan. 31 to Feb. 5.

The Water Cube, which adopts an ETFE pneumatic die cushion structure, is the world's largest membrane structure building.

It is also the only Olympic venue that is financed by the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan compatriots.

After the Aug. 8-24 Games, the Water Cube will be refurbished into a multi-function recreation center.