A week after the 2008 Olympic Games, many people are speculating as to the effects the conclusion of the games will have on the Chinese economy.

The China Daily carries a commentary saying that as a sports event, the Olympics cannot have as much of an influence on an economy the size of China's as it has on those of previous Olympic host countries. Still, the country faces a host of problems relating to its economic development.

In the past, many host countries have hit bubbles produced by the "post-Olympic effect" and suffered prolonged economic stagnation. However, a few experienced a dramatic increase in investment after the games.

According to statistics departments, Beijing's gross domestic product accounts for less than 4 percent of the country's total. Moreover, the article says national economic development is always supported by the basic economic situation. The short-term "Olympic economy" is unlikely to have a major influence on the country's economy as a whole, regardless of whether that effect is positive or negative.

But the paper adds that with the conclusion of the Olympics, the chances for employment expansion and development of related sectors have also come to an end. In order to avoid a sudden economic slowdown after the Olympics, the author suggests China pay more attention to threats from existing problems such as the high inflation and economic bubbles.

(Page Editor: Cao Jie)