CHINA> National
Premier meets foreign guests to Olympic Games
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-08 16:26

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

Wen said in his meeting with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Vladimirovic Putin that he will closely cooperate with Putin to promote China-Russia ties.

"I sincerely hope that we two can closely cooperate and the two governments can make joint efforts to promote the continuous development of China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation," Wen told Putin.

He said the China-Russia partnership is not only in the common interests of the two countries and peoples, but also conducive to world peace, stability and development.

He added that China would work together with Russia to improve structure of bilateral trade, promote mutual investment, deepen energy cooperation and jointly conduct high-tech research and development.

Putin said Russia and China have been understanding and supporting each other on many major issues.

"The relationship with China tops priority of Russia's foreign policy," said Putin, pledging that Russia would strengthen cooperation with China in economy and trade, energy, science and technology.

He said he was expecting the meeting with Wen in Moscow this year within the regular meeting mechanism.

Wen said Russia is a sports power, and he sincerely hoped the Russian athletes could get good results in the Beijing Olympic Games.

He called Putin as one of his old friends, saying he wished Putin could enjoy the Games.
Putin expressed his congratulations to the successful preparations for the Beijing Olympic Games, saying the Games have brought about great changes to Beijing.

"I look forward to watching a wonderful performance in the opening ceremony," said Putin.

Wen also met with Prime Minister of Myanmar Thein Sein and Prime Minister of Chad Youssouf Saleh Abbas Friday morning.

In meeting with Thein Sein, Wen said China hoped and believed Myanmar's government and people could realize political stability, economic development and national reconciliation through democratic negotiation.

He said China will play a constructive role in resolving of the Myanmar issue. "China will continue to follow a good-neighborly policy towards Myanmar, and work with the international community to help Myanmar overcome difficulties," he said.

Thein Sein thanked for China's support and assistance after Myanmar's cyclone disaster and said he hoped China would continue to support and participate in Myanmar's reconstruction and economic development.

While meeting with Abbas, Wen told Abbas that to promote China-Chad friendship accords with the fundamental interests of the two nations and the two peoples.

He said since resuming diplomatic relations two years ago, China and Chad have supported each other in major concerns and made smooth cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure construction and energy areas, noting that China supports Chad government's efforts to safeguard national stability and promote economic growth.

Abbas said the Chadian government and people expected to increase friendly cooperation with China in various forms.