Cultural bridge to closer ties

The Olympics is a "cultural bridge" that has brought China and Greece - two ancient civilizations - even closer together, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said.

"The Olympic flame has moved from the cradle of the Western world to the capital of the largest and most ancient Asian civilization, forming a cultural bridge that has since brought our two peoples even closer," she said.

She will attend the opening ceremony of the Games today on behalf of the Greek government.