INQUIRER Sports

HONG KONG -- The following is a selection of comments from the editorial pages of newspapers around Asia. The views expressed are those of the newspapers concerned.

Australia

The Sydney Morning Herald says the spectacular start to the Olympic Games in Beijing signals the start of China's coming century.

"The smog hanging over Beijing as the Olympic Games open has bemused athletes and onlookers, particularly those from Australia, who find anything other than clear blue skies unsettling. The thick haze comes from many sources, from cooking fires to cars and coal-fired power stations.

?The Chinese authorities have done what they can to mitigate it but so far, at least, it has proved unstoppable. Left behind by the capitalist West for two centuries, China has now caught up. Smog is the exhaust as China's economy accelerates, with astonishing speed, into the future. The Chinese certainly do not want to slow down. Nor does Australia want it to. Nor should the world.

?The Olympic Games in Beijing may well mark the start of China's global ascendancy in the 21st century. The array of national leaders who have made their way to the Olympic city -- many more than have attended previous games -- shows they sense a new era is dawning.

?Within two decades, according to some projections, China's economy will pass the United States' to be the largest on the planet. With money comes power, and this century may also see China become the leading superpower.

?However things turn out, the rise of China will continue to have consequences for world and regional security. A world in which China is the leading player will look rather different from the one we are accustomed to."

Hong Kong

The South China Morning Post says it is time to turn the screw on Myanmar's leaders.

"Myanmar's junta welcomes occasions like the Olympic Games. The hoopla over the event takes attention away from the plight of the country's people, allowing the military leaders to quietly further enrich themselves with the nation's resources. The world must guard against allowing them their wish for isolation. It is under such circumstances that they were able to brutally suppress the movement for democracy 20 years ago, putting the country on a path of decline that is acutely at odds with the growth of the rest of the region.

?There is a need instead to push the governments of Myanmar's neighbors to unite against the regime. To vanquish the poverty, hunger, child mortality and disease that is so rampant among Myanmese, its leaders have to be denied the money, weapons and diplomatic protection that allows them to keep power. After decades of a policy of non-intervention, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is coming round to this realization. China, India and Russia must also be convinced to change their ways...

"In this anniversary year, the generals have to be shown that their behavior is not acceptable. ASEAN is finally doing its bit. China must now also use its influence to push the agenda. India and Russia have to follow suit. It is in everyone's interest that Myanmar be lifted from its sorry circumstances and be allowed to prosper."

Thailand

The Nation says the Olympics can provide Thailand with a much needed morale boost.

"Today, two female Thai weightlifters will compete in an attempt to win the Kingdom its first medals of the Beijing Olympic Games. Pramsiri Bunphithak and Pensiri Laosirikul will challenge the world weightlifting champions from China. The Chinese athletes are favored due to their higher world ranking than the Thais and their overall better record. Thai sports fans, however, don't seem too bothered.

?Broadcasters told their audiences to hold their breath and tune into the competition, which is scheduled to air on local TV this morning. Sports gurus all predict that Thailand is unlikely to repeat the success it enjoyed in 2004, when the country won three gold medals and served to cheer up an entire nation.

?Thai sports fans could care less what such gurus think. They are keen to see their athletes display their fortitude at the greatest sports tournament on earth. After a series of domestic problems, the mood of the nation is set to get a big boost from the Olympics in Beijing, which will see 51 Thai athletes compete for medals.

?The event marks a celebration of the human spirit and the athletes' desire to test their limits and strive for new records. The country's happiness index is set to rise over the next two weeks. Thais are set to leave behind their divisions - albeit for a brief period - to cheer for their heroes and heroines."