President: China to honor commitment and host high-level Olympics

Chinese President Hu Jintao said Monday that the government and the Chinese people for their commitment to host a high-level Olympics with distinguishing features in Beijing would honor.
"We hope that through the Games, we can show the world the sincere wish of Chinese people the benefits of development to share and work with the rest of the world to build a bright future," Hu said in a speech at the opening ceremony of the 120th session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), held at the National Center for the Performing Arts in central Beijing.
With only four days before the opening of the 29th Summer Olympics, the Chinese president expressed his "gratitude" to IOC president Jacques Rogge and all IOC members for their "important guidance and warm support of many ways "for Beijing during the bid by the city and preparations for the Games.
The appeal of the Olympic Games "the greatest sporting and cultural event in the world" and "a great celebration of friendship and peace for mankind," Hu said China hopes the Games in Beijing would further promote the development of Olympic movement, spread the Olympic spirit, and strengthening cooperation in sports and other fields between China and other countries and regions.
The President stressed that the Chinese people keen on sport and the Chinese government has attached great importance to developing the sport and has made great efforts for the physical quality of the nation and improving health.
"Over the last three decades of reform and opening, China has not only rapid economic development and social progress, but also great achievements in sport," he said.
Sport has an important role in promoting social and economic development of China has played and served as an important bridge for China's trade and cooperation with the world, "he added.
Hu praised the modern Olympic Movement for its "outstanding contribution to the advancement of world sports, the strengthening of friendship between athletes and peoples of the world and promote world peace and development."
The Government and the Chinese people to contribute to the progress of the Olympic Movement and for the construction of a harmonious world of perpetual peace and common prosperity, said the president.
The Beijing Olympics is scheduled to open Friday in the National Stadium, nicknamed the Bird's Nest in northern Beijing.