By Xinhua writers Huang Haimin and Han Qiao ¡¡
HANOI, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Nguyen Minh Triet, Vietnamese State President who attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics Friday evening, is a big sports fan who loves to play football, table tennis and badminton.
Just a few days ago when the Brazilian Olympic football team came to Hanoi for a friendly match with Vietnam's national team, Triet went to watch the game and cheered for football players.
"I love sports, especially football. It is such an attractive and interesting game. I always hope I can have more time to watch import matches," he told Xinhua recently in an exclusive interview.¡¡
"I also love to play table tennis and badminton. The games helpme stay healthy and develop the ability to response quickly," saidTriet.
Triet is also enthusiastic about Chinese martial arts. Recalling his visit to Chinese Shaolin Temple in the Henan Province about two decades ago, he is still very excited. "The way Shaolin monks perform Kung Fu was very impressive," he said.
Triet has a passion for Chinese culture. Like many ordinary Vietnamese people, Triet likes to watch Chinese TV series. His favorites include the those based on the Chinese literary classics like "The Romance of Three Kingdoms" and "The Pilgrimage to the West".
"I like Liu Bei, Guang Yunchang and Zhang Fei. They all have distinctive characteristics," he said. Triet especially admired Zhu Geliang, whom he thought is full of wisdom.
Watching the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympics is the fifth visit by Triet to China. Over the past years, Triet has left his footprints in Chinese places of, among others, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Yunan and Heilongjiang.
Triet said he has learned a lot from exchanging ideas with Chinese leaders. He expected more exchanges and cooperation between Vietnam and China for the benefits of thea two peoples and the regional and world peace, stability and development.
Speaking of the Beijing Olympics, Triet wished the best performances of Vietnamese and Chinese athletes.
