Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R) meets with athletes of the Hong Kong team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, and representatives of volunteers in Hong Kong, south China yesterday. - Xinhua

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said yesterday he is glad to see that the Olympic spirit has won common acknowledgment among the general public in Hong Kong.

He made the remarks when meeting with delegates of Hong Kong athletes and volunteers set to participate or serve in the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics.

"I am very glad to see that you are all in such a good mood and so energetic. This is the spirit we need to stage a high-level Olympic Games with distinctive features," Xi told the delegates.

Hong Kong athletes have a glorious tradition and produced many world gold medalists for China, Xi said, citing former table tennis player Rong Guotuan and former swimmer Qi Lieyun as examples.

Xi said volunteers devote their love to and promote harmony in the society, which incarnates the Olympic spirit, noting that 15,000 people have signed up to be the equestrian events volunteers in Hong Kong while more than 400 Hong Kong volunteers will work in Beijing during the Olympic Games.

"The Olympic Games is a grand event not only for the athletes, but also for the volunteers. The most important thing is to participate," Xi said.

Xi encouraged Hong Kong athletes to make full preparations for the Beijing Olympics and the Paralympics to demonstrate their best athletic skills and sportsmanship.

Xi arrived in Hong Kong yesterday morning on a three-day visit.

He met with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Donald Tsang Yam-kuen Sunday morning.

In the afternoon, Xi inspected the equestrian events venues for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Paralympics to get firsthand information about Hong Kong's preparations for the Games.