The Beijing Olympic Games are "a kind of crown" on the achievement China has made in the past decades, Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme told Xinhua Tuesday.
"I would like to congratulate the Chinese people with the big achievement. It's very exceptional to host the Olympic Games," Leterme, due to attend the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua in his office in Brussels.
Leterme, whose country is bidding for hosting the 2018 Football World Cup, said that having the Olympic Games in China is "really a once-lifetime experience."
The 29th Olympic Games will officially open on August 8 in the Chinese capital of Beijing and close on August 24. More than 100 world leaders are expected to attend the opening or the closing ceremonies.
Praising the achievement made by China especially during the last 15 to 20 years, Leterme said that the country achieved "a lot of successes" in all fields, especially in the economy.
"I think the Olympic Games are a kind of crown on the work that has been done. So congratulations for the Chinese people," he told Xinhua.
The prime minister also spoke highly of the efforts that the Chinese government has made for the event, saying that all the people who went to Beijing were "all very impressed by the infrastructure, by the preparation and by the management of the organization."
"It is one of the first times that some months before the opening ceremony, all the infrastructure is ready." he added.
Asked to comment on the Beijing Olympics slogan of One World, One Dream, Leterme said, "The Olympic Games are an exceptional event that is capable to link hearts and minds of all the people of the world."
"One dream is the dream of the understanding between all the people. One world is globalization, not only in economic perspective, but also from the human point of view," he said.
The Chinese people "take a very important part in the whole world" and the fact that the Olympic Games are held in Beijing shows that the world is becoming "a village where everyone, or every nation, has a chance," he said.
Talking about the event's influence on the Chinese people, Leterme said that the games offer "a window on the world." "It boosts the openings and opens the minds of the people. It benefits the Chinese people to see athletes from all over the world to perform on the Chinese soil."
Belgium, with a population of 10.35 million, got one gold and two bronzes in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Asked about the prospect of medals for Belgian team which comprises of 85 athletes, Leterme said he expected about three, confident that the Belgian team has chances in sailing, cycling and 200-meter dash.
"Compared to the Chinese athletes, this is a very small number," he smiled. "But I think it is not only important to win, but also important to participate."
Leterme said that he would also meet FIFA officials on the bid for 2018 World Cup during his stay in Beijing.
(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2008)