PARIS -- The success of the Beijing Olympics is very important for China and the rest of the world, Bernard Arnault, chairman of the French luxury group Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH), has said.

China has made great progress in the past 20 years, both in economic development and in opening-up to the outside world, Arnault, also a major shareholder of the French Carrefour Group, said in an interview with French daily Le Figaro on Thursday.

He said many countries in the world including European countries have much room for improvement and they should not lecture China irresponsibly.

"If we want to have dialogues with China, the Olympic torch should not have been a target of attacks when it passed Western cities," said Arnault, adding "boycotting the Olympics is not a solution."

Arnault also denied an Internet report that alleged he had supported the Dalai Lama, saying he has never been involved in political or religious affairs, whether in Tibet or elsewhere.

The LVMH, a luxury group, has such top brands as Louis Vuitton and Dior Couture.