Global media attention rivetted on Beijing Olympics

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-09 01:42

BEIJING - With the much-anticipated opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics being staged in the capital city, China has become the focus of global media attention.

An article titled "China deserves plaudits," published Friday on the website of major Indian newspaper The Hindu, said the Olympics has provided China with a "dramatic stage" and the country has been able to ride out most of the challenges it faced during the preparatory period for the Games.

"The Olympics have become a catalyst for sweeping changes...Beijing was transformed architecturally, historically and even temperamentally... For China, the Olympics is more than a sporting event...it is as much about prestige and international acceptance," the article said.

Meanwhile, a front-page story in leading Yemeni newspaper Al Thawra said the Beijing Olympics will turn out to be the most successful Games in history.

It also said China, the host of the grand event, is likely to be placed high on the Olympic medal list, posing an actual threat to the United States, which has dominated the event since the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

Thailand's Chinese-language newspaper The Asian News Time congratulated Beijing for hosting the Olympic Games in a commentary published Friday, saying the Chinese people have finally realized their Olympic dream and have shown the world that China, which is on a peaceful rise, bears great hospitality and selfless devotion.

The Beijing Olympics also signals China's intensified efforts at "embracing the world," Indonesia's largest Chinese-language newspaper International Daily said Friday.

"Preparations for the Games have brought about comprehensive changes to Beijing and China at large...the 5,000-year-old civilization has taken new steps to improve itself and contribute its utmost to world peace and progress."

Nouvelles d'Europe, one of Europe's foremost Chinese dailies, said the world was focusing on China at present as it is set to present its infinite vitality and charm to the global community.

People all over the world would feel the hospitality of the Chinese people and further comprehend China's pursuit of peace and friendship, the newspaper said.

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