Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday met separately with several foreign leaders in the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing.
The foreign leaders, including Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias, Slovak President Ivan Gashparovic and Latvian President Valdis Zatlers, 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.
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Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with King of Cambodia Norodom Sihamoni during their meeting in Beijing, China, Aug. 11, 2008. Norodom Sihamoni attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on Aug. 8. (Xinhua)
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Hu extended a warm welcome to the guests, and said the Beijing Olympics, with the theme of "One World, One Dream," is an international sports gala that belongs to people of all countries in the world.
The foreign leaders spoke highly of the Games' opening ceremony and China's preparations for the Games, and expressed the belief that the Beijing Olympics will be a great success.
Hu also had a broad exchange of views with the leaders on bilateral relations and other major regional and international issues of common concern.
In his meeting with King Sihamoni, Hu said that 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 Chinese government and people are ready to work with their Cambodian counterparts to enhance friendly exchanges, expand mutually-beneficial cooperation, and promote common development, said Hu, adding that China highly appreciates the Cambodian Royal Family's "outstanding contribution" to the development of Sino-Cambodian relations.
King Sihamoni responded that the Cambodia-China friendship was forged and developed through the efforts of several generations of leaders of both countries.
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.
While meeting President Christofias, Hu pointed out that China and Cyprus enjoy all-weather friendship and partnership.
"China is willing to work with Cyprus to enhance high-level exchanges, expand cooperation in diverse fields and cement coordination within the frameworks of the United Nations and Asia Europe Meeting and in multilateral affairs," he said.
President Hu stressed China's persistent stand 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.
Christofias thanked the Chinese side for the support of Cyprus unity, and hoped the two countries enhance cooperation in trade and economic sectors.
Cyprus will continue with its efforts to promote Europe-China relations, he added.
Meeting with his Slovak counterpart, 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, maintained practical and fruitful cooperation in diverse fields, and cemented coordination 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."
President 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.
In his discussions with the Latvian president, Hu said that China's relations with Latvia have forged ahead smoothly since the two countries clinched diplomatic ties 17 years ago.
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 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 Monday meetings, Hu also thanked the foreign leaders for their countries' assistance to China after the devastating May 12 earthquake that rocked Sichuan Province and neighboring regions.
