China has set an example too high for future Olympic hosting countries to follow, said John W. Allen, chairman and CEO of the US Greater China Corporation (GCC).

"Beijing has set the standard in terms of preparedness for the Olympics," Allen told Xinhua in a recent interview, adding that "the world will be surprised to see the magnificent job that China has done in hosting the Olympics."

The renowned businessman, who has been to Beijing for at least 20 times, said he was excited that China, a country he loves, will enhance its reputation internationally as the successful host of the 29th Olympics.

"China is doing everything possible to make sure that the Olympics will be safe and will be a happy occasion for everyone."

Allen, who was assistant to former World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn at Schroder Bank and Trust, criticized the practice that some politicians and media link politics with Olympics.

As a firm believer that "the Olympics is not a place for politics," Allen said the world should celebrate every Olympics and honor the host countries for their incredible efforts for the Games.

Heads of state around the world should attend the Olympics and fully participate in the great event, he said.

"Olympics should not be used as a means of voicing one's political beliefs," he said. "It's not appropriate."

Speaking of the achievements that China has scored over the past 30 years, Allen said that China is fast becoming the economic powerhouse of the 21st century.

"Everybody in the world admires that China has the fastest economic development and even political development ... the Olympics has given the world an opportunity to see how far China has come in terms of openness and friendship."

Noting that some people think the Chinese economy will "take a nosedive" after the Olympics, Allen, who strongly believes that the 21st century is a century for China, said that he only expects short "let-ups" in the economic activities after the Games, saying the Chinese economy "will continue its upward progress afterwards."

(Xinhua News Agency August 2, 2008)