China to work with int'l organizations in Asian Games

GUANGZHOU - China is willing to enhance cooperation with international sports organizations to ensure the success of the 16th Asian Games, said Premier Wen Jiabao on Friday.

Wen spoke of this when meeting with Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), and Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who were in South China's Guangzhou city to attend the opening ceremony of the Asian Games.

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The Asian Games, which is a great sports event for the people on this continent, serves as an important platform for promoting regional communication and cooperation, Wen said.

China attaches importance to the opportunity of hosting the games and has been well prepared for this event with unprecedented size and participants, Wen said.

China appreciates the full support the OCA and IOC have offered and will cooperate with all parties to ensure the success of the games, the premier said.

China, which will host the 2011 World University Games and the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, is willing to enhance cooperation with international sports organizations including the OCA and IOC, he said, vowing to strengthen the friendship between Asian peoples and contribute to global peace and development.

Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah and Rogge highly evaluated the preparation work for the Guangzhou Asian Games and believed that the games will make a success.

The two officials also praised the accomplishments China has achieved in sports in recent years and appreciated the contribution the Chinese government has made in promoting the Olympic Movement. They also pledged to enhance communication and cooperation with China.

The 16th Asian Games, scheduled from Nov 12-27 in Guangzhou, will be the largest edition ever, featuring 9,704 athletes and 4,750 officials from 45 countries and regions.