The Lausanne-based Olympic Museum turns its attention to China as Beijing hosts the 29th Olympiad this year.

The Olympic Museum is staging a major exhibition of modern China, as well as ancient, traditional China. Beijing 2008 is the largest Olympic promotional exhibition ever held at the Olympic Museum.

The Chinese call their country Zhongguo, or central kingdom. The name follows tradition. In Chinese cosmogony the empire was located precisely under the center of Heaven. It was the center of the world and of all Civilization.

This national pride, inherent in the people, is symbolized by a ball of fire at the entrance to the exhibition. It stands for the strength and light of China and the central cardinal point.

The exhibition reviews great moments in the history of Olympic Sports in China.

China is in constant motion. Visitors are invited to follow the evolution, moving around a circuit progressing from traditional China to contemporary China.

The transition becomes clear in the monumental changes to Beijing's environment and city planning. The coming Olympic Games were the catalyst for these.

The introduction is presented through many media: exhibits, interactivity, demonstrations, performances, documentary films, educational kits, guided tours and workshops.

The exhibition is accompanied by a display of calligraphy,and the performance of traditional Guangdong music. The Olympic Museum exhibition continues until October.