On September 7, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao met at the Great Hall of the People separately with German President Horst Koehler and Japan-China Friendship Association Chairman Koichi Kato, also former secretary-general of the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who are here for the opening ceremony of the Beijing Paralympic Games.

While meeting with Koehler, Hu first welcomed his German counterpart to the opening ceremony of the Games and wished German Paralympians good performance at the Games. Hu also took the opportunity to thank the German government and people for their support and assistance after the devastating earthquake that hit China’s Sichuan province on May 12.

"The Sino-German relations have shown a sound momentum of development, thanks to concerted efforts by both sides," Hu said. "Our economic and trade cooperation is growing robustly, and remarkable progress has been made in cultural, youth and legal exchanges and cooperation," said Hu. "We have maintained communication and cooperation in major international and regional affairs." Hu pointed out that to develop China-Germany friendly relations is a common aspiration of both peoples. "Against the background of deepening economic globalization, the two countries share many common interests, and also face a lot of challenges," he added. To further consolidate and comprehensively develop bilateral ties not only benefits both countries and their peoples and is also conducive to promoting world peace and development. "China is ready to work with Germany to push for a long-term, stable and sound development of bilateral ties, on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and through enhancing dialogue, promoting mutual trust, deepening cooperation and properly handling differences," said the president.

Koehler said the Beijing Paralympics opening ceremony was grand and splendid, showing respect and care for the disabled. It also showcased the indomitable combatant spirit of the disabled in accomplishing a higher goal in life. He wished the Beijing Paralympics a complete success. The president commended China's accomplishments in various fields following three decades of reform and opening-up, adding that the German side attaches great importance to the cooperative relationship between the two countries. He noted that Germany hopes to share with China each other's experience in economic and social development, and work with China for world peace and development through more exchanges and dialogues.

In his meeting with Kato, Hu welcomed the Japanese guest to the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games. Hu also thanked the Japanese government and people of various circles for their support to the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, and wished good results for Japanese Paralympians in Beijing.

Hu pointed out that China and Japan are both important countries in Asia and the world, thus shouldering the grave responsibility and mission of maintaining regional and world peace and promoting common development. To further consolidate and develop the Sino-Japanese strategic relations with mutual benefit is in line with the common interests of both countries and their peoples, and is conducive to peace, stability and prosperity of Asia and the world at large, he added. China is ready to work with Japan to lift the Sino-Japanese strategic reciprocal relations to a new level, through strengthening political dialogue, deepening mutually-beneficial cooperation and expanding people-to-people exchanges, Hu said. The Chinese leader highlighted the important role played by the Japan-China Friendship Association in improving and developing bilateral ties, saying that the Sino-Japanese friendship is in essence the friendship between the Chinese and Japanese people. The development of the Sino-Japanese friendship relies heavily on concerted efforts by the people of both countries, said Hu, expressing the hope that the Japan-China Friendship Association will carry forward the fine tradition with a firm conviction and make new contributions to the Sino-Japanese friendship.

Kato congratulated China on the complete success of the Beijing Olympic Games. The opening ceremony of the Beijing Paralympic Games was equally grand and splendid, said Kato, who expressed the belief that both Games would be written into the history of mankind. The Japan-China Friendship Association, which has dedicated itself to Japan-China friendship for nearly 60 years, will join hands with the Chinese side to help expand bilateral exchanges and cooperation in all areas and enhance friendship between the two peoples, so as to promote the sound and stable development of Japan-China relations, he said.

Ling Jihua, Wang Huning and Dai Bingguo attended the above-mentioned meetings.