Nepali official newspaper The Rising Nepal in an editorial Sunday hailed the success of the opening of the Beijing Olympic Games, calling it a "big triumph" not only for China but also for its friendly neighbors.

"The grand opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on Friday evening came as a big triumph not only for the Chinese people but also for the people all around the world, especially the friendly countries of the People's Republic of China including Nepal," the editorial read.

"The four-hour dazzling opening ceremony held amidst the presence of over 90,000 spectators including 80 heads of states and the government and over 10,000 athletes from 204 countries and regions depicted how well the Chinese were prepared for holding the once-in-a-lifetime Olympics," it commented.

"During the seven years since Beijing won the right to host the games, China spent 40 billion dollars to build the venues, expand transport networks and upgrade other infrastructures. The preparation on such a vast scale within a period of seven years could have been impossible for many other countries but for China, which has been enjoying a record high rate of economic growth for the past decade, it was not a difficult task," it said.

"Through the grand opening ceremony with cultural shows expressing special traits of the Chinese culture of both ancient and modern times the Chinese people have sent the entire world a message of their growing economic strength putting aside all the political controversies and pollution concerns raised by the West in the recent months," the editorial said.

"Indeed, the Chinese government as well as the people have succeeded to free the Olympics from politics not only by successfully holding the opening ceremony but also by being host to world leaders including U.S. President George Bush in the opening ceremony," it said.

"Being a true friend of China and its people, the Nepalese people are also in the triumphant mood along with the Chinese people at the successful opening of the Olympics in China. It is also a matter of pride for Nepal that the Olympics is being held in one of its closest neighbors for the first time in the history of modern Olympics," the editorial ended with heartful greeting: " Congratulations to the Chinese government and the Chinese people!"

(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2008)