BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao expressed here Friday his gratitude to visiting foreign leaders for their support for the Beijing Olympics and wished foreign athletes good performances at the Games.

    The foreign leaders who met with Hu spoke highly of the efforts done by the Chinese government and people to prepare for a great Olympics and they wished it a full success.

    President Hu also exchanged views with them on bilateral relations and issues of common concern.

    In his meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Hu said, "China and Afghanistan enjoy a traditional friendship and sound relations."

    He said China is willing to work together with Afghanistan to actively implement the Good-neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation and push forward the partnership of all-round cooperation.

    "China respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, respects its own choice of development path and supports Afghanistan's efforts to safeguard national security and stability," Hu said.

    China attaches great importance to, and takes an active part, in Afghanistan's reconstruction, he said. "We're willing to support within our capability."

    Karzai expressed thanks for China's assistance to its reconstruction, saying that Afghanistan would enjoy a better future thanks to the support from the international society, including China.

    In meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Hu said China and Israel have shown respect and support for each other, achieved remarkable results in cooperation in various fields, and kept close contact and coordination in international and regional affairs.

    China and Israel should continue their sound exchanges at all levels, bring into full play their complementary advantages, expand mutually-beneficial cooperation, and improve cultural exchanges, Hu said.

    Peres said a better China will bring about a better world, and will benefit mankind as a whole. He expressed the hope that the two countries strengthen high-level exchanges and expand cooperation in such fields as culture and agriculture.

    Peres said he was impressed by Beijing's preparations for the Olympic Games, which he called an unprecedented effort in world history.

    In the meeting with Romanian President Traian Basescu, Hu said, "Next year we will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Romanian diplomatic ties. It will be an important milestone in the development of bilateral relations."

    The Chinese president called on both sides to take the opportunity to raise their partnership of comprehensive and friendly cooperation to a new stage.

    Basescu appreciated China's positive efforts in balancing trade between the two countries.

    The Romanian president also vowed to work closely with China to well celebrate the 60th anniversary next year, so as to deepen the friendship between the two peoples and consolidate bilateral friendship.

    In meeting with Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, Hu said China is ready to enhance dialogue and expand cooperation with Croatia, a "trustworthy friend and partner of China in southeast Europe."

    "We're willing to work together with Croatia to enhance dialogue and communication, expand concrete cooperation and promote the long-term, stable and sound development of the partnership of all-round cooperation," Hu said.

    China consistently respects Croatia's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, respects the path of development chosen by the Croatians in line with their domestic situation, as well as the country's efforts to merge in the European integration process, Hu said.

    Croatia and China have carried out sound cooperation in bilateral and multilateral areas, said Mesic, adding that his country values the relations with China and is willing to enhance exchanges and cooperation with China to achieve mutual benefits.

    In all the meetings, Hu expressed his gratitude to various governments for their sincere help and assistance to the Chinese people after the massive earthquake in Wenchuan, Sichuan Province, on May 12.

    The heads of state vowed to support China's principled stand on the Taiwan and Tibet-related issues, and back the Chinese efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and integrity, which was appreciated by the Chinese president.