Chinese premier meets international guests

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-08 13:09

BEIJING -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Friday morning met with some of the international guests who were here to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games slated for Friday evening.

In a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Wen expressed his welcome to Rudd and wished Australian athletes would perform well at the Games.

He thanked Rudd for his letter of condolence after the May 12 earthquake that hit Sichuan Province, adding that the Australian government and people also expressed sympathy and provided aid and assistance to the Chinese government and people.

"We are deeply grateful for this," Wen said.

Rudd said he sincerely wished the Beijing Olympic Games would be a success and Chinese athletes would succeed in the Games.

He said the Sichuan earthquake was a disaster to the whole world, and the Australian people, including those of Chinese origin, were very sad about it and were happy to provide support to China.

Responding to Rudd's concern over development of the quake relief work, Wen said the work had almost come to an end and the Chinese government had drafted a reconstruction plan which was publicized for opinions. An English version of the plan would be available once it was finalized.

During the meeting with Prime Minister of Djibouti Dileita Mohamed Dileita, Wen also expressed China's gratitude to the leaders, government and people of Djibouti for their sympathy and condolence over the earthquake.

"You are here with the friendship of the people of Djibouti," Wen said.

Dileita said he was excited to be able to attend the Beijing Olympic Games.

While meeting with Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, Wen said China appreciated the longtime support of the Thai government, royal family and people for the Beijing Olympic Games.

Samak said he was very happy to be able to attend the grand event, saying today was a day that people of the world, including the Chinese, had been longing for.