Jiang extended welcome to Rogge and other IOC members on behalf of the Chinese government and people, and expressed his gratitude to IOC for choosing Beijing to host the 29th Olympic Games in 2008.

The Chinese President told the guests that Beijing's success in bidding for hosting the Olympics has greatly inspired millions of Chinese people's enthusiasms for sports and the Olympic movement.

This would not only promote popularity and development of the world Olympic movement but also facilitate the cultural exchanges between east and west, Jiang said.

Rogge said he was glad to meet President Jiang Zemin again and was grateful to the Chinese host for inviting him to attend the country's 9th National Games that is to open Sunday evening.

The IOC President spoke highly of China's accomplishments in sports in recent years, saying he is confident that China is fully capable of running a successful Olympic Games in 2008.

Rogge reiterated that IOC would closely collaborate with China and guarantee the success of the 2008 Olympics.

Jiang appreciated this support, and pointed out that the current National Games will not only review the development of China's sports but also test the country's ability to host the Olympic Games seven years later.

He emphasized that the Chinese government will fully support the Beijing Olympic Games Organizing Committee in its efforts to run the 29th Olympics into a gala sports meet for the unity, friendship, peace and advancement of people of the world in

accordance with the standard and demand of IOC.

Rogge and other IOC members have come to Guangzhou specially for the 9th National Games at the invitation from the Chinese Olympic Committee.

Present at the meeting were Li Changchun, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Party Secretary of Guangdong, and other Chinese officials including Wang Gang, Yuan Weimin, Lu Ruihua and Li Zhijian.

(Xinhua News Agency November 12, 2001)