Big team of Games VIPs has Hu in a diplomatic marathon

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-8-10  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

THE large contingent of foreign leaders attending the Beijing Olympics has meant a hectic schedule for President Hu Jintao.

More than 80 heads of state and government and royals attended Friday night's opening ceremony at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest.

Hu yesterday met Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, the President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the leaders of five Central Asian and Transcaucasian nations.

Hu again thanked Putin for Russia's support and selfless assistance to the Chinese people after the devastating earthquake that jolted Sichuan Province in May.

Putin said the assistance reflects Russians' goodwill for the Chinese: "It is something a good neighbor should do," he said.

Later, in the Great Hall of the People, Hu met Turkmenistani President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, Armenian President Serzh Sarkisyan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon.

They congratulated China on Friday night's Games opening and the efforts of the Chinese government and people in organizing the Games.

Hu said the concept of "One World, One Dream" put forth for the Beijing Games fully expresses the aspiration of people around the world to seek peaceful progress, friendly co-existence and harmonious development.

The Chinese president said he is confident the Beijing Olympics will be "distinctive" and "of high standards," with the strong assistance and active participation of the international community.

Calling the five countries traditional friends of China, Hu said the 16 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations had produced remarkable results in cooperation in diverse fields.

Hu told Rudd he thought Australian athletes would perform well at the Beijing Games.

Sino-Australian relations have maintained good momentum and are showing a promising future, he said.