Brussels - President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Poettering said in Brussels Thursday that he "is looking forward to the Olympic Games" next year in Beijing, China.

Speaking at a reception party for the China-Europa Forum, held on October 4-7 in Brussels and 22 other cities of European Union member nations, Poettering said, "Next year's Olympic Games in Beijing will provide a great opportunity to bring together sportsmen and women, as well as spectators from across the world."

"This tremendous event will put China under the global spotlight as never before and will be a symbol of China's emergence as a world player," he added.

He told Xinhua that he was looking forward to the games and was invited by "several personalities from China" to participate in the event.

"I intend to participate in the opening on August 8, 2008," he said.