Olympics grand for China’s diplomacy
CHINA: They all came for the big event — Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
They included heads of state, government leaders and royal
dignitaries,from more than 100 countries across the world.
In addition to meeting with Chinese leaders, the VIPs also had
friendly communication with the Chinese people.
They came to watch the Games and cheer for the athletes of their own
compatriot or those from other countries.
On Aug. 8, Chinese President Hu Jintao hosted a welcome banquet for
honorable foreign guests at the Great Hall of the People. The banquet
set a new record in China’s diplomatic history with its high level and
the number of participants.
On the sidelines of the smooth sports events, the leadership of the
Communist Party of China and the Chinese government held more than 100
meetings with leaders from other countries, thanking them for their
support for the Games and exchanging views on international and regional
issues with common concern.
The Beijing Games, which closed on Sunday, have impressed the world a
lot.
“These were truly exceptional Games,” said International Olympic
Committee President Jacques Rogge at the closing ceremony at the
National Stadium.
Rogge also expressed thanks to the people of China. Leaders of other
nations also spoke highly of the grand event.
U.S. President George W. Bush Bush hailed the Games’ opening as
“spectacular and successful”. He attended the opening ceremony and
watched a match between Yao Ming-led China and the NBA-laden Team USA in
men’s basketball.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Vladimirovic Putin and French
President Nicolas Sarkozy praised the Games for bringing great pleasure
to worldwide sports lovers and appreciated the great efforts that the
Chinese people had done for the Games.
Many countries, such as Mongolia, Afghanistan and Panama, achieved
breakthroughs at the Beijing Games in gold or other medals in their
Olympic history.
When meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao, British Prime Minister
Gordon Brown said Beijing had “set a new standard” that London would
“seek to follow”.
Britain is willing to refer to China’s successful experience in
hosting the Games as well as in sports where China enjoys advantage, in
an effort to host a high-level sports rally in London in 2012.
Brown hoped British athletes could learn from their Chinese
counterparts in diving, table tennis and badminton and win more medals
at the London Olympics.
China is ready to share its own experience in this regard with
Britain, duly implement the cooperation plans relating to the 2012
London Games and make it a new highlight in Sino-British cooperation,
President Hu said.
Beijing, Monday, AFP
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