Special report: 2008 Olympic Games

    By Yu Zhongwen

    CAIRO, May 6 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian Sinologist Tuesday called on some Western media and politicians to stop politicizing the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games.

    "Some Western media and politicians should not mix politics with Beijing Olympics as the international sports event would be enjoyed by people all over the world," Abdel Aziz Hamdi, head of the Chinese language department, language and translation faculty of Egypt's famed Al-Azhar University, said in a telephone interview with Xinhua.

    As the Beijing Games are approaching, some Western media covered the Tibet issue in a biased way and some Western leaders even threatened to boycott the opening ceremony of the Games, said Aziz, adding this kind of activity reflected their intention to magnify the Tibet issue.

    Aziz, who had been living in China for 15 years, has published some 23 books on China's ancient thinkers, literature and culture.

    As for his understanding of Tibet, Aziz said the region was once an under-developed area with people living hard.

    However, Tibet has witnessed great progress since 1950s under the leadership of the People's Republic of China and the boom of tourism prompted by the railway system would lead to further development of the region, said Aziz.

    The Chinese government has exerted great efforts to help promote the development of Tibet, said Aziz, who once in an Egyptian TV program introduced the history of Tibet in a bid to help Egyptians know more about the region, a part of China.

    As for how to settle the Tibet issue, Aziz voiced his hope that the Dalai Lama should cooperate fully with the Chinese central government and should not carry out activities to divide his homeland.

    As the preparation works have been carried out smoothly, Aziz is confident that the Beijing Olympics will be held successfully, saying "Let's look forward to the opening of the Games on Aug. 8."