Olympics mean big business for EU, says Chinese ambassador

China’s ambassador to the EU says the upcoming Olympics will provide “enormous” economic opportunities for the EU.

Speaking to TheParliament.com, Song Zhe said the keenly anticipated event will also “serve as a bridge of friendship” between his country and the EU.

Much of the recent focus on the Olympics has been on everything from human rights in China to levels of pollution in Beijing, dope testing of athletes and Tibet.

But the ambassador, based at his mission’s new headquarters in Brussels, said people should not lose track of the event’s potential economic impact.

He said, “The games will provide enormous business opportunities to European companies and contribute to economic cooperation and trade between China and the EU.”

He went on, “We would like to work together with European people to ensure the success of the games.

“Undoubtedly, the games will have a positive impact on contacts and cooperation between China and the EU.

“Since the event is preceded by Athens and followed by London, it has a special significance to sustain the friendly sentiments between China and the EU.”

He said the recent trip to Beijing by commission president José Manuel Barroso and several EU commissioners highlighted the mutual importance the EU attaches to its relations with China.

He said this, together with an Asia-EU summit in December, will give “new impetus” to the “healthy and stable” China-EU relationship.

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