Chinese president meet foreign leaders on eve of Beijing Olympics

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Source: CCTV.com | 08-08-2008 07:29

It's been confirmed that more than 80 heads of states, governments and royals are attending the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, the most ever in the Olympic history. President Hu Jintao had a busy day on Thursday meeting with some of his counterparts who have already arrived in Beijing.

Hu Jintao's first guest was Lao President Choummaly Saygnasone, who will attend the Opening Ceremony and other activities.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with President of Laos Choummaly Saygnasone during their meeting in Beijing, China, Aug. 7, 2008. Choummaly Saygnasone is here to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games and other events. (Xinhua)

President Hu extended a warm welcome to the Lao leader and expressed appreciation to Laos for its support for the Summer Games.

The Lao president said the Beijing Olympics is a grand gathering of people from all over the world.

President Hu then met with his Serbian counterpart, Boris Tadic.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with President of the Republic of Serbia Boris Tadic during their meeting in Beijing, China, Aug. 7, 2008. Boris Tadic is here to attend the opening ceremony of the  Beijing Olympic Games and other events. (Xinhua)

Calling President Tadic an old friend of the Chinese people, Hu said that he appreciated the support of the Serbian government and people for the Olympic Games.

Tadic said he was impressed by the tremendous changes that have taken place in Beijing over the past seven years in the lead up to the Games.

During his meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Hu Jintao said China highly appreciated President Lukashenko's statement in April, which clearly opposed some people's attempts to push for a "boycott" of the Beijing Games.