Biggest spectacle

China gains priceless media publicity and recognition around the world, not for being the most populated country on planet earth or for its spectacular economic development of the last few years, but rather for successfully hosting the 29th Olympic Games.

Beyond specialized and competitive sports performances, it had a parade of values and colors, customs, ethnicity and social classes, rhythms and languages, religions, professions and traditions. Marketing, strategies and tactics were organizational flags.

Olympic Games represents the most beautiful cultural manifestation of the human species. The scientific advances of sports medicine discoveries and the technological innovations produce special effects in launching one more appeal for peace among mankind.

Each one of us must face life at one point or another. Our only limitation is found in our minds. To overcome it the key word is determination, other positive thoughts, and for many, faith is the secret.

All the athletes who were in China were technically exemplary, but only the exceptional ones made it to record books, with golden letters and their names in history. In the "Olympic Games of life" a successful career could be in a small difference, for example, "in the beauty of being a perpetual apprentice".

Faustino Vicente

via e-mail

Thank you, Beijing

Anyway, the reason that I felt I had to write was to express my deepest admiration for China, Beijing Olympic organizing committee and of course, the Chinese People. I was so impressed by the organization of the ceremonies and Games and enjoyed watching them very much.

Just before the Games started there were some reporters, including some British, who were trying their very best to bring up political issues instead of concentrating on the Games. For this, as an Englishman, I was very embarrassed and sincerely apologize.

They should know that politics and sports are two different arenas and should never be mixed. These situations were handled very diplomatically, for which, again, I take my hat off to you. I know China has problems but who doesn't? Anyway, these are for China to sort out.

I didn't know much about China and its people before the Games. During the Games I have learned much more about your beautiful country and people.

I just hope that England in 2012 will be able to match such a high standard.

I would be most obliged if you could pass on this message to Beijing's mayor and all those others involved.

David Kayd

via e-mail

Competition essential

Comment on "Hybrid rice set to boost yields by 20%" (China Daily, July 24)

Agriculture technology leadership and industrial technology leadership are two major segments apart from financial leadership that China ought to pursue.

Currently no country is widely accepted as holding clear-cut leadership in agriculture technology. Agriculture is a very wide industry by itself.

Different plants and different livestocks breed in different climates and under different conditions. While it is important to excel in the cultivation of plants and livestocks that exist within one's own country, one ought to extend such excellence to cover plants and livestocks that exist outside one's own country.

Departing a little, Germany is widely accepted as the one of the world leaders in industrial technology. To catch up with these countries China could consider picking up an ideal province and benchmark it to catch up with Germany from all segments.

In order to attain Germany's acumen, it is vital that the positive attributes leading to such excellence be acquired and blended into one's own culture. Other provinces will catch up over time.

Benchmarking is a very useful tool. It ought to be used even for the society's well-being, for example, measurement of happiness and life satisfaction.

Another benchmarking potential is to match Hong Kong and Shanghai with New York on financial markets.

One critical aspect of benchmarking is not to lose one's own identity and culture while acquiring others' abilities and strength.

When one seeks leadership, there is always a serious need to manage one's own profile and image both domestically and internationally.

AsiaBiz

on China Daily website

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(China Daily 08/27/2008 page9)