Chinese President Hu Jintao hosts banquet for heads of state

Friday, August 8, 2008 at 2:40 pm under Olympic Games Chinese President Hu Jintao hosts banquet for heads of state

BEIJING: Chinese President Hu Jintao Friday hosted a banquet lunch for 80 heads of state and top International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials who are here to attend the opening of the 2008 Olympics later in the day. “Holding the Olympics is the long-cherished wish of the Chinese people,” Hu said in a speech at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.

“I believe that with the help of the IOC and the Olympic family we can hold a high-level Olympics with special characteristics,” he told guests including US President George W. Bush and IOC President Jacques Rogge.

“The Beijing Olympic Games is an opportunity not only for China but also for the whole world,” he said in the speech, which was shown by state television.

Hu thanked the leaders for the international help to China’s relief efforts in earthquake-devastated Sichuan province, where at least 70,000 people died in May.

According to the Chinese government, Hu held separate meetings Thursday with the presidents of Vietnam, Algeria, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Belarus, Montenegro, Laos, Serbia, Australia and Brazil.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rud had a meeting with his chine counterpart. Rud said that human rights situation has improved during last few years however, he said China needs to do more in this regard.