OLYMPIC BONDS: Chinese President Hu Jintao meets
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in Beijing on August 22

Brown, who came to watch the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, said the Britain-China strategic partnership is forging ahead with rapid progress in trade as well as cultural, educational and people-to-people exchanges. Britain hopes to work more closely with China in the fields of science and technology, climate change, nuclear power, renewable energy and African development, he said. It is also willing to make joint efforts with China to curb trade protectionism and work for the establishment of an open, stable world trade regime.

Hu also commented positively on the two countries' relations. He called on both countries to view their relations from a strategic perspective, respect each other's concerns and continue to advance mutually beneficial cooperation.

On a global level, China and Britain have great potential for working together to safeguard world peace and promote common development, Hu said. For example, they can consult with each other to help resolve international issues, jointly push for the reopening of the Doha Round of world trade talks and explore new frontiers of cooperation in addressing climate change and energy security.

A sense of responsibility

In a recent editorial, Hong Kong-based newspaper Wen Wei Po said Beijing has set an example for a "green Olympics," "people's Olympics" and "hi-tech Olympics."

Although the international community questioned Beijing's air quality before the Games, it turned out to be an environmentally friendly city, it said. London's pollution has also been under international scrutiny. The British have expressed discontent over higher taxes on heavily polluting vehicles and a rule prohibiting spectators from driving to Olympic events. London needs to communicate with Beijing to ensure a green Olympiad in 2012, the editorial said.

During the Olympics, Beijing did a good job accommodating more than 16,000 athletes, over 80 top foreign leaders and some 30,000 journalists from across the world, the newspaper said. For instance, Beijing deployed the world's largest-ever volunteer group to help make all foreign guests feel at home by minimizing language barriers and inconveniences in a strange city. It also offered comfortable venues and an Olympic Village with easy access to the venues, catering to the needs of athletes with different cultural and religious backgrounds.

The application of high technology not only made the opening and closing ceremonies more entertaining and visually appealing, but also helped athletes improve their performance, it said. London is expected to do even better than Beijing in this regard, it said.

Beijing's security measures are another legacy for London, which faces an even tougher security situation in light of the terrorist attacks it has suffered in recent years, it said.

London does not feel pressured by the success of the Beijing Games, said Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games. At an August 22 press conference at the Beijing International Media Center, Coe said that every Olympic host city is obligated to organize the Games successfully, present its best face to the world and leave a positive legacy for the Olympic movement. Beijing has inspired London to repeat its success in 2012, he said.