International Olympic Commitee president Jacques Rogge said on Sunday that the Beijing Olympics has helped enhance mutual understanding between China and the rest of the world.

"The most intangible legacy, but also very important one, is that through the Games, China has been scrutinized by the world, has opened up to the world," Rogge told a press conference before the closing ceremony of the Aug. 8-24 Games.

"The world has learned (about) China and China has learned about the world. I believe, this is something that will have positive effects in the long term," he added.

The IOC chief also noted that a strengthened awareness about environmental protection, enthusiasm for sport among Chinese youth as well as the state-of-the-art venues as the legacy.

Rogge said he believes, as he was told by Achim Steiner, executive director of United Nations Environment Program, that China's environmental improvement spurred on by the staging of the Games are not short term.

"The country of 1.3 billion people will continue to positively influence the climate and the environment in all of China," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 24, 2008)