Swedish ping-pong veteran Jan-Ove Waldner has opened a restaurant in Beijing's Sanlitun bar street.

Many Chinese paddlers, including famous player Wang Tao and Chinese men's team coach Liu Guoliang took part in the opening ceremony.

Being called "Lao Wa" by Chinese people, the Swedish table tennis legend is almost a household name in China, where table tennis is the national sport.

Waldner says Sanlitun impressed him while he was on training camp in China.

The restaurant is the only Swedish restaurant in Beijing.

(CRI November 3, 2004)