China will become a winner of the 2008 Olympic Games, Jordan's leading Arabic daily Al-Ra'i said on its Aug. 5 edition.

"When asked who will be the winner on the Beijing Olympics, I immediately gave the answer of China. This goes beyond sports dimension -- China and the U.S. will undoubtedly embark on a fierce competition for the highest level of podium. What I said carries broader message," said Samir M. Janakat, head of the sports edition and freelancer.

A successful Olympic Games could erase the misunderstanding and hostility some countries hold towards China, and build a new image of China -- a China of prosperous, rich and opening-up, said the freelancer.

"Four years ago, I went to China for the first and only time. Before that, all I knew of China is what Hollywood depicted in its films: China is poor, laggard, chaotic and even evil. However the image was totaled broken when I touched my feet on the land. What I've learnt is that anyone or any country should not start from media or others' judgment and take a hostile attitude towards others before making a personal experience," he added.

The sports head also said that the Chinese people are hospitable. Like any other state in the world, China has made creditable progress and on the other hand has some fields to improve. But this cannot lend excuse or justification to be hostile to China or boycott Olympics.

(Xinhua News Agency August 5, 2008)