"I used to buy French products which epitomize style and grace, but their hypocritical words against China weigh heavily on my mind now," Duan said.

But Yang Chenjiu, an IT engineer whose girlfriend is studying in Paris, called for a calm and rational way to deal with France while expressing concerns about a setback to the Sino-French relationship.

"I encourage my girlfriend to tell her French classmates about the real China," Yang said. "How can you expect French people to have an objective attitude toward China when most of them rarely have a chance to hear China's voice?"

The survey rejected Western claims that the Chinese had only a single source of news. When it comes to the Olympic torch relay and the Tibet issue, 76.9 percent of the respondents said they noted different voices from Western and domestic media.

About 86 percent said they tended to believe in the reports of domestic media while those who were inclined to believe the Western media accounted for only 2 percent.

A big majority of respondents, or 82.5 percent, opposed linking the Olympics with Tibet or human rights.

About 75 percent are aware of the call for boycotts and protests held overseas, and of these, 90 percent "oppose" and 77 percent "strongly oppose" these activities.

Half the respondents said what the Dalai Lama said and did recently deepened their repugnance toward him.

In terms of responses to the disruptions of the torch relay, 60 percent chose "gathering online votes and signatures in support of the Olympics"; 51 percent "mobilizing others to participate in Olympics-related activities"; 39 percent "boycotting foreign merchandise such as those made in France"; 34 percent "voicing opinions in blogs and BBSs"; 21 percent "taking part in spontaneous protests in public places"; 10 percent "taking other measures"; 12 percent "not taking any concrete action"; and 5 percent "refusing to answer or not sure".

Respondents were allowed to choose more than one answer for all questions.

According to the survey, Chinese people's enthusiasm for the Olympics has not been dampened by the recent turn of events.

(China Daily April 24, 2008)