The China Daily has published an article, saying the Olympic Games will give China a chance to inject new vitality into its diplomatic image.

The article says the Games should contribute greatly to sports, and more importantly, to the ties between China and the rest of the world. It estimates that more than 550,000 foreigners are expected to be in the capital Beijing during the Games, including heads of state and government and royal family members.

The paper quotes a professor with Tsinghua University as saying that China will use this opportunity to display its impressive achievements in the past 30 years, and publicize its diplomatic ideas such as harmonious world and peaceful development. Meantime, China fever is also rising and going to take the center stage during the grand occasion.

The paper says apart from the Olympics, this year is also big for China's diplomatic mission. Beijing will host the Asia-Europe Summit in October, and the fourth round of Sino-US Economic Dialogue will be held in the US. Other important diplomatic activities include President Hu Jintao's visit to Japan and the official launch of China-Europe negotiation on the partnership and cooperation agreement.

In conclusion, the paper cites a professor at Beijing-based Renmin University as saying that China will maintain the good momentum in its diplomacy, and its diplomatic arena will be widened this year.