Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulo has said in Nicosia that he was confident that the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games would be a big success, which would prove once again that China is capable of great achievements.

Papadopoulos made the remarks during an exclusive written interview with Xinhua, prior to his scheduled state visit to China on Dec. 4-8.

Papadopoulos said he wholeheartedly supports the Olympic spirit and always follows the Olympic Games.

"I have watched the performance of the Chinese cultural team during the closing ceremony of the Olympiad in Athens two years ago, and I consider it a foretaste of the magnificence of the Chinese culture." he said.

"After the successful hosting of the games in Athens, we are now looking forward to another great performance in the Beijing Olympic Games." the president said.

He added that he sincerely believes that China fully deserves to be the host of the next Olympics and the organization will excel any previous ones.

China and Cyprus established diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level on Dec. 14, 1971. Bilateral relations have been developing smoothly ever since.

Source: Xinhua