Amid towering ancient trees, fragrant flowers and whispering creeks, President Hu Jintao and his wife Liu Yongqing hosted a banquet lunch for state leaders and royalty attending the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics Sunday.
Unlike the grand luncheon held at the Great Hall of the People on Aug 8 for the opening ceremony of the Games, Sunday's event at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse was an elegant, understated affair to review the joy and excitement of the past two weeks.
"The success of the Beijing Olympic Games is attributable to the concerted efforts of the Chinese people and people from the rest of the world," President Hu said in a toast at the banquet.
Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) toasts International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge (L) during a banquet marking the end of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing August 24, 2008. Twenty-seven leaders from various countries attended the banquet luncheon before the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. [Agencies]
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"The glory goes to the Olympic Family, to athletes who have competed hard, to volunteers from different parts of the world and to friends the world over who have been involved in the Beijing Olympic Games in various ways," he said.
Hu congratulated competitors from all the teams on their outstanding performance, and said the Chinese people have shared the joy and happiness with friends from around the world.
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Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) talks with Prime Minister of Finland Matti Vanhanen (2nd L) prior to a banquet at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China, Aug. 24, 2008. Chinese President Hu Jintao held a banquet Sunday to welcome foreign leaders and international dignitaries who will attend the Olympic Games closing ceremony in the evening. [Xinhua]
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He also promised that China will deliver a high-standard Paralympic Games next month, in line with the goal of "Two Games, Equal Splendor".
Guests representing more than 20 countries and regions attended the lunch decorated with precious antiques, huge Chinese paintings of peonies and Peking Opera masks.
Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who took his oath of office a week ago, was making his international debut.
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Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (2nd L) talks with Australian Governor-General Michael Jeffery (R) at the banquet held at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China, Aug. 24, 2008. Chinese President Hu Jintao held a banquet Sunday to welcome foreign leaders and international dignitaries who will attend the Olympic Games closing ceremony in the evening. [Xinhua]
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Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip's wife, Anu Ansip, caught attention Sunday for wearing a blue cheongsam.
Many agreed that the luncheon marked the joy of achievements and things to come, rather than that of farewell.
"We all look forward to the reunion in London four years from now," Hu said in his toast.
