From legendary table tennis player and Cambridge University PhD student, to Beijing Olympics official, Deng Yaping is a high achiever.

Deng, also a CPPCC member, wants Chinese people to take pride of place on the podium of world opinion during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

"Hosting the Olympic Games is not only a spectacle of China's sports, or spectacle of Beijing, but one for all the Chinese people," Deng said.

"For the first time, China was lifted to the top of the world by holding the Games in 2008. We should think carefully how the Chinese people will make an impression on the whole world."

Having studied abroad for almost a decade, Deng's speech at this year's CPPCC session had a distinctly international theme.

"It is estimated that during the 2008 Games, there will be more than 500,000 visitors in China and the world's eyes will be on us," she said.

"At that time, the Western media will report every corner of China from their own angle. No matter if it is wrong or right the Western media will lead public opinion around the world. Our people should realize that their individual behavior will have an impact on that image."

While Beijing bid for the 2008 Olympics, Deng served as the "image ambassador" for the city. But years later, Deng has realized that only a handful of these so-called consultants, were not enough to lift the city's standards.

"Only all people working together can raise our country's overall image," said Deng, who has been appointed vice-director of the Olympic Village.

Deng told China Daily that people, particularly youth, should not be lectured or told how to conduct themselves for the Games.

"We should be more relaxed about it, promote Chinese pride and manners through cartoons, singing, dancing or even playing games," she said.

"Teaching is always serious in China, but it is not suitable for telling people such rules. We should arouse people's interest first."

An elected CPPCC member since 1993, Deng treasures her role on the political stage.

"CPPCC is a good channel for experts and scholars to give useful advice to the Chinese government," Deng said.

"Take our sports group for example, most of the group members are working in the General Administration of Sports and BOCOG, but in daily work we have no time to sit together since we all have different work divisions," she said.

"CPPCC sessions provide us a good chance to communicate with each other and get to know some detailed issues."

(China Daily 03/10/2007 page3)