Chinese President Hu Jintao (4th R) talks to Japanese journalists at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 4, 2008. Hu, who is scheduled to pay a visit to Japan from May 6 to 10, had an interview with journalists from 16 Japanese media organizations stationed in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, May 4 (Xinhua) -- President Hu Jintao offered a warm welcome here on Sunday to athletes from all over the world and friends from foreign countries to attend the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games.

    Hu, who is scheduled to visit Japan from May 6 to 10, made these remarks during an interview with journalists from 16 Japanese media organizations stationed in Beijing.

    Hu said the Olympics does not only belong to the Chinese people but also to Asian people and the world as a whole, noting that a successful Olympic Games carried the responsibility to promote the Olympic spirits of solidarity, friendship and peace to increase mutual understanding and friendship among the world's people.

    "I believe, with the wide participation of the peoples of the world, including the Japanese people, and support from the international Olympic family, the Beijing Olympics will be an event of high quality," he said.

    Hu also told the Japanese journalists that the preparations for the Beijing Olympics were on track and expressed his wishes that athletes, including those from Japan, could score a good performance.