Bangladeshi senior journalist and President of Commonwealth Journalist Association Hassan Shahriar said on Tuesday the success of Beijing Olympics is due to joint efforts of the Chinese government and the Chinese people.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Shahriar said the success of Olympics not only enhanced the pride of the Chinese people, but also the people of Asia.

At the invitation of 2008 Beijing International Media Center, Shahriar and 7 other Bangladeshi journalists visited Beijing and Tianjin from August 18 to 25.

Shahriar said he was deeply impressed by the hospitality of the Chinese government and the Chinese people and he brought back a lot of beautiful memories.

He said he appreciated the Olympic volunteers very much, saying the volunteers not only spoke good English, but also were very friendly and helpful.

Shahriar said the common people in China also showed their hospitality to them. "When we went for shopping or walked in the streets, some Chinese people would come to us and asked if we needed help," he said.

Shahriar has been working as a journalist for more than 40 years and interviewed a lot of foreign leaders, but it is the first time for him to see Olympics.

Shahriar said, "This is the first time for me to see Olympics. I feel very excited. For me it seems a dream comes true."

He said he could feel the Chinese government had made very good preparations for the Olympic Game.

Shahriar visited China for the first time a few years back. "But this time I become to know more of China and the Chinese people," he said.

Shahriar said Olympics has given a chance for China to expose its culture, history to the world. "Because of the Olympics, Beijing becomes a household-known name in the world, it is also a success of China," he said.

Shahriar said he is very happy to have the opportunity to visit China during Olympics, experiencing the holiday atmosphere in China.

(Xinhua News Agency August 27, 2008)