Chinese President Hu Jintao said yesterday that the Chinese government and
people would honor their commitment of hosting a high-level Olympic Games with
distinguishing features in Beijing.
"It is also our hope that through the Games, we can show the world the
sincere aspiration of the Chinese people to share the benefits of development
and to join with the rest of the world in building a bright future," Hu said in
a speech delivered at the opening ceremony of the 120th session of the
International Olympic Committee (IOC), held in the National Center for the
Performing Arts in central Beijing.
With just four days before the opening of the 29th summer Olympics, the
Chinese president expressed his "heartfelt gratitude" to IOC President Jacques
Rogge and all IOC members, for their "important guidance and warm support in
many ways" for Beijing during the city's bid and preparation for the Games.
Calling the Olympic Games "the largest international sports and cultural
event in the world" and "a grand celebration of friendship and peace for
mankind," Hu said China hoped the Beijing Games would further promote the
development of the Olympic Movement, further spread the Olympic spirit, and
further enhance the cooperation in sports and other fields between China and
other countries and regions.
The president pointed out that the Chinese people are keen on sports, while
the Chinese government has attached great importance to the development of
sports and has made great efforts to improve the whole nation's physical quality
and health level.
"In the last three decades of reform and opening-up, China has made not only
rapid economic development and social progress, but also great achievements in
sport," he noted.
Sport has played a vital role in promoting China's social and economic
development, and served as a major bridge for China's exchange and cooperation
with the outside world, he added.
Hu praised the modern Olympic Movement for its "outstanding contributions to
the progress of world sport, the strengthening of friendship among athletes and
people of the world, and the promotion of world peace and development."
The Chinese government and people would like to make contribution to the
progress of the Olympic Movement and to the building of a harmonious world of
perpetual peace and common prosperity, said the president.
The Beijing Olympic Games are slated to open on Friday evening in the
National Stadium, dubbed the Bird's Nest, in north Beijing.
