On August 23, 2008, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met in Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai respectively with some of the foreign leaders, who are here for the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games and relevant activities.

Wen welcomed these leaders to attend the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games and congratulated them on good performance of athletes from their countries at the games. Wen said the Beijing Olympic Games, as a grand sports rally for people across the world, has built up friendship among members of the big Olympic family and promoted the development of Olympic movement. "We are glad about this and thank all parties for their active support for and participation in the Games," said Wen.

The foreign leaders attending the meetings congratulated the Chinese government and people for successfully hosting a spectacular and high-level Olympic Games. They said they were deeply impressed by the friendliness of Chinese people and the excellent organization of the games. The Beijing Olympic Games has enhanced mutual understanding and friendship between people from different countries and carried forward the Olympic spirit.

When meeting with Prime Minister of Lithuania Gediminas Kirkilas, Wen hailed the smooth development of China-Lithuania relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties. Wen said Lithuania is China's important cooperative partner in the Baltic Sea region and both sides have maintained sound coordination in international affairs. Wen said China appreciated Lithuania's adherence to the one-China policy and was ready to strengthen high-level exchanges with Lithuania to jointly promote bilateral ties based on the principle of mutual respect, mutual benefits and win-win results.

Hailing the frequent exchanges between the two countries, Kirkilas said bilateral trade volume has been increasing year by year. He said Lithuania attaches importance to China's rapid development and is ready to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields and enhance coordination in international affairs. He hoped both sides would take the 2009 Europe-Asia transportation ministers meeting in Lithuania as an opportunity to further promote bilateral cooperation.

In a meeting with Prime Minister of Latvia Ivars Godmanis, Wen said China attaches importance to developing friendly relations with Latvia and is ready to, based on the existing sound basis, strengthen consultations at all levels, develop mutually beneficial and balanced economic and trade ties, advance cooperation in transport and relevant areas and promote youth exchanges so as to better benefit both peoples.

Hailing the enormous changes taking place in China, Godmanis said Latvia hopes to enhance cooperation with China on economy, trade, investment, agriculture, animal husbandry, fishery, transport and logistics and promote bilateral cultural and non-governmental exchanges.

When meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme, Wen said that mutual political trust between China and Belgium has deepened in recent years, trade and investment volume has grown fast, and bilateral cooperation in such fields as nuclear energy, space medical science and biology has made remarkable achievements. He expressed his appreciation of Belgium's adherence to the one-China policy and proper handling of issues related to Taiwan and Tibet.  "China is ready to work together with Belgium to promote the bilateral reciprocal cooperation for continuous new achievements," he said.

Leterme said China has played a very important and active role in the world, and Belgium respects China's development achievements and remains a trustworthy cooperative partner of China. Belgium hopes to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China in the fields of politics, economy, culture and international affairs.

During a meeting with a U.S. presidential delegation, headed by Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and Secretary of Health Michael O. Leavitt, Wen said Sino-U.S. relations have achieved substantial development in recent years, adding that this hard-won situation deserves to be cherished. A sound Sino-U.S. relationship is in the fundamental interest of both countries and their peoples and is also conducive to world peace, stability and prosperity. Wen called on the two sides to proceed from a strategic and long-term perspective and firmly adhere to the general direction of constructive cooperation in bilateral ties. He also suggested both sides steadfastly pursue common interests to continuously strengthen mutual trust and cooperation and properly handle differences and sensitive issues so as to push for sustained, sound and stable development of bilateral ties. Wen said exchanges and cooperation in social security, medicine and health, and inspection and quarantine are important aspects of China-U.S. ties. The two sides should actively implement the cooperation agreements already signed and learn from each other in these fields to better protect people's health and promote social welfare.

Chao and Leavitt said President George W. Bush was glad to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics and watch the games along with his family. They said the Beijing Olympic Games has given the U.S. people a new understanding of China.  They said that the U.S. and China should further strengthen cooperation and exchanges, expressing hope that the two countries can gain more fruits in the cooperation on labor, social security, health and food safety. They once again expressed sympathy over the devastating earthquake that hit China's Sichuan province on May 12, expressing willingness to continue to offer support for reconstruction of the quake-hit areas.