China to honor commitment and host high-level Olympics: Hu

President Hu Jintao said on Monday 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.

Source:China.org.cn