SUGGESTIONS that Hong Kong may have a major part to play in a bid by Guangdong province to host the Olympics in 2008 must produce at least a tremor of excitement.
The Olympics are, after all, the most glamorous sporting event on Earth and few cities and countries can host them successfully. Events in Atlanta last time suggest that even a major American city found it difficult to cope.
When Beijing lost its bid to host the millenium Olympics there were scenes of dismay. Huge numbers of the city's residents were in tears, captured on camera for display around the world.
While political play was made of China's human rights record, the reason why Beijing's bid failed so narrowly was more likely to have been the excellent presentation made by Sydney.
This was backed up by the state-of-the-art telecommunications facilities and important associated aspects affecting any Olympics, like extensive and high-quality accommodation in a modern city geared to success.
That description does not quite so easily apply to the Chinese capital but would most certainly fit Hong Kong. And it is surely a matter of fact that Guangzhou - and Shanghai - are the most advanced of China's cities.