The Beijing Olympics draw to a close this Sunday and, barring any last-minute mishaps, the Chinese should look back on these Games with an enormous amount of self-satisfaction.

The Chinese team are sitting pretty at the top of the medal table with far more gold medals than their nearest rivals, the United States.

And with the Georgia-Russia conflict and other major news events diverting international attention elsewhere, media outlets have been focusing more on the sporting competition and impressive organisation in Beijing rather than China's human rights record.

Tibet has all but dropped from the headlines. But in France today the Dalai Lama will meet Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, foreign minister Bernard Kouchner and the junior minister for human rights Rama Yade. The Tibetan spiritual leader claims 400 people have been killed since a Chinese clampdown in the Lhassa region began in March.

Philippe Le Corre, China specialist with Publicis consultants, has joined David Crossan on France 24 set to discuss the success of China.

To watch Friday's Top Story, please click "play video"