Beijing's hosting of the Olympics helped China better integrate into the world, France's Ambassador to China Herve Ladsous said Tuesday.

Ladsous said the changes had an impact on the Chinese capital and the country at large.

"It has sped up Beijing's modern construction: the fast-developing rail transit network, the improved public facilities, the reduced pollutant emissions and the improvement of air quality."

It had also accelerated the country's integration with the world, presenting a more transparent China with a surging civil society and a more open media, he said.

He also expressed regret at the harassment of Olympic torch relay in Paris, criticizing French media for highlighting the unpleasant events, but neglecting the fact that thousands of Paris residents had poured into streets to welcome the flame.

"The Beijing Olympics are a friendship gathering for people from the world over, especially young people," he said.

France would send a 450-member team to the Olympics, including 310 athletes.

"We won 33 medals in the 2004 Athens Olympics. I hope we'll achieve even better this time," the ambassador said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 22, 2008)