Chinese want India to host Olympics 2020!

Supporting the torch run at Rajpath amidst Tibetan protests, Chinese nationals were rooting for India's Olympic bid.

Chinese people turned out in substantial numbers at the India Gate to cheer and support the Beijing Olympic torchbearers. Ashok Kumar of Expressindia.com talks to some of them to gauge the mood, hopes and aspirations of the hosts of Olympics 2008.

Gong who is associated with the Chinese Embassy was ecstatic about the Olympic torch relay in Delhi, “Indian people have offered lots of help. We hope good luck for the games,” she says.

When asked to comment on the limited access of the relay to the public in Delhi, Gong firmly expressed that the success of the game should be protected at any cost. She said that the common people understand the restraints of security and they could be involved in a big way after this event (torch-relay).

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Liu Xudong who is into telecom business in India said that he was very proud of the security system (for the torch relay) put into place by India. Praising the Indian people for their kindness, he said, “In the last 10 years, India and China have had a good relationship which should be carried forward.”

Li Shuangyi a young lady from China termed the torch relay event as very exciting as she chanted the slogan of the relay, “Light the Passion Share the Dream”.

Julie another young lady, who is also from China was flashing a placard with a message, ‘Olympic for Delhi 2020’. When asked to elaborate on the message, she said cheerfully, “We hope Delhi gets to host the 2020 Olympics.”

Xu Xiao who is studying in Delhi University could not hide his emotions as he said,

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“This is for the first time China is hosting the Olympics”. Xiao also highlighted the growing co-operation between the two countries as he cited the growing number of students coming to India from China.