Dozens of Chinese students studying in Japan rallied Sunday to celebrate the success of the Beijing Olympics.
More than 70 representatives of Chinese students from around Japan gathered at the education section of the Chinese embassy to exchange their ideas about the successful Beijing Games and watch the the Games' closing ceremony.
"The successive gold medals won by the Chinese athletes and intensive coverage by world media of the Games got across to me the fact that China has grown much stronger," said Li Guangzhe, chairman of the Chinese Students in Japan Friendship Association.
He said the success of the Games go far beyond merely sports, but an indication of China's economic growth and cultural advance.
Zhang Bi, a doctorate student at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology and one of the three Chinese torch-bearers at the Olympic flame relay's Nagano stop, said the Beijing Olympics has demonstrated the Olympic spirits throughout the whole process and presented to the world a real and vivid image of China.
Han Bing, another doctorate student, said her Japanese teachers and fellow student were all impressed by the opening ceremony, wonderful venues and volunteers. She said they were convinced that the Beijing Games, held in the most populous country in the world, will leave great spiritual asset to China in the same way that the Tokyo Olympiad did.
(Xinhua News Agency August 25, 2008)