The opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games "has widened the horizon of Americans," a senior scholar in the United States told Xinhua Tuesday.

Li Cheng, a senior fellow of the Brookings Institution, expressed his appreciation of both the opening ceremony and the organizational excellence of the Beijing Olympics.

"The opening ceremony has widened the horizon of Americans," Li said, adding that while people in the Unites States were already fully aware of China's rising economy, they were able to learn more about its rich and ancient culture through the opening ceremony.

The organizational work also seems to be going well and NBC, as the sole broadcaster of the Beijing Olympics in the United States, has provided mostly positive coverage, also focusing on China's food, tourism and culture. Therefore, the Olympics are expected to make China the latest travel craze, Li added.

He also praised China's audience, who often cheer for foreign athletes even when they compete with Chinese teams. The good manners of the audience have also won appreciation from U.S. media, he said.

In his opinion, the Olympics will not only bring more U.S. tourists to China and allow them to know more about the country, but will also promote cooperation and dialogue between the two nations.

(Xinhua News Agency August 20, 2008)