| President: China to honor commitment and host high-level Olympics |
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| Tuesday,August 05,2008 Posted: 17:49 BJT(0949 GMT) |
| From:cctv Article type:Reproduced |
The 120th session of the International Olympic Committee has opened in Beijing. Chinese President Hu Jintao attended the opening ceremony on Monday night. He pledges that China will do its utmost to host a high quality Olympic Games and contribute to the development of the modern Olympic movement.
Chinese President Hu Jintao
addresses the opening ceremony
of the 120th International Olympic
Committee (IOC) session at the
National Center for the Performing
Arts in Beijing, China, Aug.4, 2008.
The 120th IOC session was opened
here on Monday.(Xinhua Photo)
The opening ceremony of the 120th IOC session began at about 7 p.m. on Monday night at Beijing's National Theater for the Performing Arts. Chinese President Hu Jintao and IOC President Jacques Rogge walked into the conference hall together.
Chinese president Hu Jintao, said, "On the occasion of the opening of the 120th session of the International Olympic Committee, on behalf of the Chinese government and 1.3 billion Chinese people, please allow me to express my sincere congratulations on the opening of the session and a warm welcome to all IOC members and friends attending the meeting."
Hu Jintao says since the founding of the modern Olympic movement and under the leadership of the IOC, the Olympic spirit of friendship and peace has made outstanding contributions, especially to enhance friendship among athletes and people all over the world. And it willl also advance world peace and development.
Hu Jintao says the Chinese government always attaches great importance to the development of sports and the improvement of people's health. He notes that sport participation in China has progressed rapidly since the adoption of the country's opening up and reform policy. Hu Jintao adds that sports have played a vital role in promoting China's social and economic development and also served as a major bridge for China's exchange and cooperation with the outside world.
Chinese top leaders Hu Jintao, Xi Jinping and Zhou
Yongkang pose for a group photo with members of the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) prior to the
opening ceremony of the 120th IOC session in Beijing,
China, Aug. 4, 2008. The 120th IOC session was opened
at the National Center for the Performing Arts in
Beijing on Monday.(Xinhua Photo)
Chinese president Hu Jintao said, "The Olympic Games is the largest sports event in the world. It's also an occasion for mankind to celebrate friendship and enjoy peace. The Chinese government and people are seriously committed to hosting a distinctive and high-quality Olympic Games for the benefit of the international community. Through hosting the Olympic Games, we hope to further promote the development of the international Olympic movement and spread the Olympic spirit. And also expand China's cooperation with the world in sports and other fields. In a matter of 4 days, the Beijing Olympic Games will open. With the support of the IOC and the international Olympic family, the Chinese government and people will keep their promise to host a distinctive and high-quality Olympic games with great enthusiasm and utmost efforts."
During his speech, IOC President Jacques Rogge said he believed the Beijing Games would be "historic". He also said they would significantly advance the Olympic goals of universality and fair play. He noted that the mere fact that the Olympic Games are in China - home to nearly 20 percent of the world's population - is of far-reaching importance. He said the Games will also leave a great legacy, adding that history will view the 2008 Olympics as a milestone in China's remarkable transformation.
Prior to the opening of the IOC session, President Hu also had meetings with Jacques Rogge, IOC Honorary President Juan Antonio Samaranch, and Chairman of the IOC Coordination Commission for the Beijing Olympics, Hein Verbruggen.
Hu Jintao spoke highly of these IOC senior leaders' contributions for the preparations of the Beijing Olympic Games. He said by hosting the games, China hopes to promote mutual understanding and friendship among people all over the world. It also aims to spread the Olympic spirit and boost the popularization and development of the Olympic movement.
Rogge said that over the past few years of the preparation period, the IOC and the international community have witnessed great energy, efficiency and love of sports from the Chinese people. He says the IOC wishes the Beijing Games will be a great success. And that Chinese athletes will be able to showcase excellent performances.
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