Chinese audience cheers for Japan

The Chinese audience loves Japanese ping-pong player Ai Fukuhara. On August 14, when Ai Fukuhara was matched against Miao Miao, a Chinese-born player competing for Australia, the audience kept up a constant barrage of support for the Japanese player they nickname her "Porcelain Doll" because of her tendency to burst into tears after tough matches.

Ai Fukuhara was matched against Miao Miao, a Chinese-born player competing for Australia on August 14, 2008.

A Japanese news reporter said some Chinese people had paid up to 1,000 yuan a ticket to cheer for their favorite. One spectator vowed he would get to all her matches no matter what it cost.

Ai Fukuhara, who speaks fluent Chinese with a recognizable northeast accent, told reporters, "Being in Beijing is like playing a home game."

Ai Fukuhara held the Japanese national flag at the Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremony on August 8, 2008.

Swimmer Kosuke Kitajima, who won gold for Japan, received generous applause from the Chinese audience when his medal was awarded. When Japan's Masato Uchishiba was awarded the men's 66kg judo gold medal, Chinese spectators stood in silence for the Japanese national anthem. A spectator from Beijing told the Yomiuri Shimbun, "It makes no difference whether the champion is Chinese or Japanese. We should show our respect, especially when China is the host country."

"I have been watching the development of Sino-Japan relations for years. I'm very happy to see Chinese audiences cheering for Japan," said Kato Yoshikazu.