Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao during their meeting in Beijing, China, Aug. 23, 2008. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met here Saturday morning with a U.S. presidential delegation to the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, headed by Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and Secretary of Health Michael O. Leavitt.(Xinhua/Li Tao) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met here Saturday morning with a U.S. presidential delegation to the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, headed by Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and Secretary of Health Michael O. Leavitt.

    Wen expressed his welcome to the delegation's visit, saying it has shown the importance attached by the United States as the U.S. President George W. Bush and his family attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics and the U.S. government also sent officials to attend the closing ceremony.

    "It is also an embodiment of China-U.S. friendly cooperation," he added.

    He congratulated the U.S. athletes' good performance at the Olympic Games, saying the total number of U.S. delegation's medals is till ranked in the first place.

    Chao and Leavitt conveyed Bush's greetings to Wen, and expressed sympathy to the victims and families in the May 12 earthquake in China's Sichuan Province, saying "our heart is still with them,"

    They said the Beijing Olympic Games has given the U.S. people a new understanding of China.

    Wen called on the two sides to firmly adhere to the general direction of constructive cooperation in bilateral ties, and steadfastly pursue common interests to continuously strengthen mutual trust and cooperation and properly handle differences and sensitive issues.

    He 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 learn from each other in these fields to better protect people's health and promote social welfare.

    Chao and Leavitt 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.