Rivalry between China's two main cities is rife, but Shanghai's Old Phoenix jewellery store is doing a roaring trade in small gold bars embossed with the logo for the Beijing Olympics.

At just under $2,000 (€1,700, £1,150) for a nugget the size of a cigarette lighter, there are plenty of cheaper 2008 Olympics memorabilia on Shanghai's main shopping street, but that has not held back demand. "There will be a new bar every year until 2008 and many people want the complete set," says a salesman.