Special: The closing ceremony of the 29th Olympic Games

    Beijing, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Foreign leaders recently conveyed their appreciation of the just-concluded Beijing Olympic Games to Chinese leaders President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and Vice President Xi Jinping, hailing China's efforts in hosting a successful and wonderful event.

    King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia said the 2008 Beijing Games was of profound significance and revealed China's great achievements to the whole world.

 

Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2008 shows fireworks in the shape of Olympic Rings at the National Stadium, or the Bird’s Nest, Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Xu Jiajun) Photo Gallery>>>

    The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, lavishly praised the marvelous opening ceremony and said the Beijing Games was a milestone in Chinese history.

    Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo described the Beijing Olympics as a big event and said the people of her country were celebrating the grand occasion along with the Chinese.

    Malawi's President Bingu Wa Mutharika said China has been committed to promoting world peace and mutual understanding among people across the globe for a long time, and the people of Malawi were proud of the successful Games.

    Pedro Verona Rodrigues Pires, the president of the Republic of Cape Verde, said China had set an example for the world in promoting world peace and unification by proposing the slogan "One World, One Dream".

    James Alix Michel, president of the Republic of Seychelles, said China had successfully hosted the Olympic Games despite the Sichuan earthquake, which reflected the country's perseverance and its ability to deal with difficulties and challenges.

    The three concepts of "Green Olympics, High-tech Olympics and People's Olympics" were in accordance with the development view of Seychelles, he added.

    Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma lauded the Beijing Olympics and wished the Paralympic Games all success.

    Omer Hassan Ahmed Elbashir, the president of Sudan, described the well-organized Beijing Olympics as a high point in the Games' history. The opening ceremony was fantastic, he added.

    Abdelaziz Bouteflika, president of the Democratic People's Republic of Algeria, also expressed admiration for the well organized Olympics and expressed the belief that Algeria-China ties would continue its healthy development.

    Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic said China had made great efforts to provide opportunities for the athletes all over the world to compete and communicate.

    Bharrat Jagdeo, president of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, heaped praises on the Chinese people's national pride and their efforts in hosting a successful Games, which he believed would boost their country's development.

    Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka, the prime minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, said China had overcome natural disasters and stood before the world like the Great Wall.

    The Beijing Games showcased China's long and splendid history to the world, which has strengthened cooperation and friendship among the international community, he added.

Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2008 shows the performance of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli) Photo Gallery>>>

    Myanmarese Prime Minister Thein Sein said the opening ceremony showcased not only Chinese traditional culture but also the image of modern China as well.

    Nikola Spiric, the president of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia-Herzegovina, said China had successfully hosted the Olympics and steadily stepped forward to a prosperous and peaceful future.

    Lee Kuan Yew, minister mentor of the Singaporean cabinet, said the opening ceremony fully revealed the 5,000-year history of China, and touched the hearts of audiences worldwide. Beijing is a green city now which reflects China's achievements in economy, society and technology innovation, he added.

    Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit and Javier Solana, the European Union Council's secretary general and high representative of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, also send letters to Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi to congratulate China for its successful hosting of the Games.

World joins China in revelry as "truly exceptional" Beijing Olympics come to end

    BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The competitions are over and the party begins, all medals were given out but the memory stays. In a lavish closing ceremony illuminated by a fireworks extravaganza, the world's top athletes joined their Chinese hosts to celebrate the success of the 29th summer Olympic Games on Sunday night.

    When the Olympic flame, after 16 days of burning in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in north Beijing, went out at 9:24 p.m. Sunday, a gala of songs and dances was staged in the stadium, turning the ceremony into a big party. Full story

IOC chief: Beijing Olympic Games "truly exceptional Games"

    BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing Olympic Games are "truly exceptional Games," said International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge at the Games' closing ceremony staged in the National Stadium in northern Beijing on Sunday night.

    "Through these Games, the world learned more about China, and China learned more about the world. Athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees came to these dazzling venues and awed us with their talent," Rogge said in his closing speech. Full story