On August 11, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao met respectively with some foreign leaders in the Great Hall of the People, who had come to the Chinese capital to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on Aug. 8 and other activities relating to the Games.

Hu extended a warm welcome to the guests, and said the Beijing Olympics is an international sports gala that belongs to people of all countries in the world. The theme of "One World, One Dream" represents the good wish of Chinese people and people from all over the world for progress, peaceful coexistence and harmonious development. He expressed belief that with the support of the International Olympic Committee and international Olympic family, the Beijing Olympic Games will surely promote the friendship between Chinese people and people across the world and contribute to the development of international Olympic sports.

The foreign leaders spoke highly of the Games' opening ceremony and China's organizing work for the Games, and thanked the Chinese government and people for their industrious efforts and excellent work for the games. They expressed the belief that the Beijing Olympics will be a great success and congratulated Chinese athletes on their good results at the games in the past few days.

Hu also had a broad exchange of views with the leaders on bilateral relations and other major regional and international issues of common concern.

On August 11, Chinese President Hu Jintao meets at the Great Hall of the People with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, who is here for the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games and relevant activities.

In his meeting with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, Hu said that China and Cambodia are traditional friendly neighbors and the friendship between the two peoples goes back to ancient times. China-Cambodia friendship has withstood the tests of changes in the international situation and domestic circumstances and achieved healthy development. China and Cambodia are not only good neighbors that coexist in peace and harmony, but also good friends with mutual trust, good brothers sharing happiness and woe, and good partners working together for a win-win end. "The friendly relationship between China and Cambodia is exemplary for countries of different social systems which want to treat each other equally and carry out sincere cooperation," Hu said. The Cambodian royal family attaches great importance to ties with China and has made outstanding contributions to the development of bilateral ties, which China highly appreciates. The Chinese government and people are ready to work with their Cambodian counterparts to take the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties to enhance friendly exchanges, expand mutually-beneficial cooperation, and promote common development in a bid to push their good-neighborly friendship and all-round cooperation to a new level, said Hu.

King Sihamoni responded that the Cambodia-China friendship was forged and developed through the efforts of several generations of leaders of both countries. Over the years the two countries have maintained close ties and conducted all-round cooperation on politics, economy, culture and education.  He said the Cambodian Royal Family, government and people appreciate the long-time support and assistance from China and are dedicated to the development of good-neighborly friendship and cooperation with China.

On August 11, Chinese President Hu Jintao meets at the Great Hall of the People with President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias, who is here for the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games and relevant activities.

While meeting President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias, Hu pointed out that China and Cyprus enjoy all-weather friendship and partnership. Currently both sides have scored positive results in cooperation in all areas and coordinated with each other in international affairs.  China is willing to work with Cyprus to enhance high-level exchanges, expand friendly exchanges in diverse fields and build up understanding between the two peoples. China is ready to deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation and increase imports from Cyprus, encourage Chinese businesses to invest in the country and expand cooperation on culture, public health, education, tourism, agriculture, fishery and environmental protection. Hu also urged both sides to cement coordination within the frameworks of the United Nations and Asia Europe Meeting and in multilateral affairs.

President Hu stressed China's persistent position that the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus should be duly respected, and the Cyprus issue should be settled in a fair and reasonable manner on the basis of relevant UN resolutions.

Hailing China as a close friend of Cyprus, Christofias thanked the Chinese side for its support of Cyprus unity. There is broad space for bilateral cooperation and China hopes the two countries enhance cooperation in trade and economic sectors.  Cyprus will continue with its efforts to promote Europe-China relations, he added.

On August 11, Chinese President Hu Jintao meets at the Great Hall of the People with Slovak President Ivan Gashparovic, who is here for the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games and relevant activities.

Meeting with Slovak President Ivan Gashparovic, Hu said that bilateral ties have been going along quite well in recent years and the two countries have enhanced high-level exchanges, built mutual political trust and maintained practical and fruitful cooperation in diverse fields. Bilateral trade volume has hit one record high after another and cooperation on science and technology, culture, education and sport has made substantial progress. The two countries have also maintained close coordination and cooperation in international affairs.  Slovakia is considered as a trustworthy friend and partner of China, Hu said. "Next year will mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-Slovakia diplomatic relations. We're willing to work with Slovakia to promote bilateral friendly cooperation to a new height," added Hu.

President Gashparovic said bilateral relations have been developing very well with smooth development of mutually beneficial cooperation. Gashparovic said his country thinks highly of China's influence in international affairs, and hopes to deepen cooperation with China to further promote bilateral relations. He noted that against the background of globalization, EU-China relations are of great significance and the Slovak Republic will continue to make positive efforts for the development of EU-China relations.

Gashparovic briefed on Slovakia's development. Hu said he was glad to see the country's achievements and wished the Slovak people new progress in building their country.

On August 11, Chinese President Hu Jintao meets at the Great Hall of the People with Latvian President Valdis Zatlers, who is here for the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games and relevant activities.

In his discussions with Latvian President Valdis Zatlers, Hu said that China's relations with Latvia have forged ahead smoothly since the two countries clinched diplomatic ties 17 years ago, with continuous new progress of exchanges and cooperation in all areas and mutual support and close coordination in international and regional affairs.  China values such relations and is ready to work with Latvia in promoting all-round development of bilateral ties by maintaining exchanges at all levels, enhancing contacts between the governments, legislatures and political parties, expanding channels for trade and economic cooperation, broadening exchanges and cooperation in diverse fields including science and technology, culture and education, and maintaining good coordination in international affairs, Hu said.

President Zatlers echoed Hu's views on bilateral ties, saying bilateral transport cooperation has scored sound results. He added that his country is ready to work with China to expand cooperation in economic and trade fields and boost exchanges in education and cultural sectors.

During the meetings, Hu, on behalf the Chinese government and people, also thanked the foreign leaders for their countries' assistance to China after the devastating May 12 earthquake that rocked Sichuan Province and neighboring regions.

Ling Jihua, Wang Huning and Dai Bingguo attended the above meetings.