China has become a hot topic these days in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) as the spectacular opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics impressed many young people.

Many students from the University of Kinshasa watched the ceremony broadcast on DR Congo's state television and were amazed by the fabulous performances staged at China's National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, in the Chinese capital.

Herve Nsingi, a student majoring in international relations at the university, was particularly impressed by the little Chinese girl who sang before the hoist of the Chinese national flag during the ceremony.

He said that although he had no idea what the girl was singing about as he did not know any Chinese, he could feel the sincere patriotic sentiment the song was trying to express.

Fanny Thamba, a finance major, hailed the ceremony as a celebration of China's achievement scored by diligence and intelligence.

China is a respectable, reliable partner for DR Congo, she said, adding that her home country, which is making efforts for reconstruction after a long conflict, can learn from China's experience in development.

(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2008)