Expressing his warm welcome to the IOC Commission to Beijing, Jiang said he wishes the specialists in the IOC Commission to visit and see more of Beijing. Beijing hopes that its enthusiasm, confidence, credential and capability for hosting the 2008 Olympic Games be conveyed, through the Commission's evaluation report, to all IOC members, Jiang said.

As the Chinese capital with a rich cultural heritage as long as over 3,000 years, Beijing also performs as a window for modern China's exchange and cooperation with other countries. Chinese government and the Chinese people sincerely hope to further the mutual understandings between themselves and others and promote their friendly ties with the rest of the world, thus contributing more to the worldwide trend of peace and development, Jiang said. Beijing's Olympic bid for China for the second time, this time for the 2008 Games, fully embodies the aspiration and efforts of the Chinese people.

If Beijing wins the bid, Jiang said, the Chinese government will keep seriously all the promises it have made in the bidding report, Jiang pledged. "I'm fully confident that Beijing, with an whole-hearted support of all its residents, can host the Olympic Games featuring modern characteristics and Olympic charming," Jiang said.

China has been one of the most active and dynamic members of the Olympic family and in the new century, China will as always make efforts to promote the Olympic movement and spread the Olympic spirit, Jiang added.

Verbruggen thanked the Chinese president for his kindness in taking time to meet the IOC Commission. China has formulated very active and effective policies for promoting sports and its national Olympic Committee and the sports organizations have played an important role in this field. This promotes Beijing's Olympic bid, he said.

The Commission chief said that the Commission members wish to discuss with members of the Beijing Olympic Bid Committee, who are campaigning in a well-planned and all-around way. He wished Beijing a good luck.

Also president at the meeting were Li Lanqing, vice-premier of the State Council, Jia Qingling, Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, Liu Qi, Mayor of Beijing and Yuan Weimin, Minister in charge of the State Sports General Administration.

(People's Daily 02/22/2001)