UN chief full of praise for Beijing

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday he was impressed by the "spectacular" Olympic facilities he saw last month during his visit to Beijing.

Speaking at the opening of a Chinese art exhibition at the UN headquarters in New York, Ban said his visit to China moved him and he was "grateful for the warm and exciting welcome" he and his delegation received.

While in Beijing, Ban visited a number of Olympic venues and said he was impressed by the preparations made.