Beijing welcomes London

London's stunning victory over Paris for the right to host the 2012 Summer Olympics was warmly received in China, hosts of the 2008 Games in Beijing, who also told the British capital to expect a large Chinese audience.

The president of Beijing Organising Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games (BOCOG) Liu Qi phoned London bid leader Sebastian Coe on Wednesday to congratulate him on leading his city to a 54-50 win in the final round of IOC voting in Singapore, the People's Daily said on Thursday.

"Congratulations to London!" the state-run China Daily said in a commentary.

"We fully appreciate the excitement people in London enjoyed at this moment. Still fresh in our memory, is the similar joy we experienced when Beijing was announced host of the 2008 Olympic Games four years ago."

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A crowd in London's Trafalgar Square let out a huge roar when the news was announced, reminiscent of scenes in Beijing's Tiananmen Square after the Chinese capital won hosting rights in 2001.

Organisers of the 2004

Athens Games, the most expensive in history, advised the newest hosts to get started early, a strategy Beijing is adhering to while pledging a smaller operating budget than the Greek capital's.

Last year, Beijing was so far ahead in its preparations that the IOC suggested the city slow down, fearing early completion of venues could lead to economic losses.

The London Olympics could expect to see many Chinese faces among spectators, the China Daily added.

"It is likely that the 2012 Olympics will welcome a larger than ever visiting Chinese audience as tourists flock to the city," it said.