”The Chinese government and people have seriously implemented the solemn commitments made to the international society since Beijing won the Olympic bid in 2001,” Mr Hu said at a welcoming banquet.
”I am confident that, with the support of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Family, and together with you, we will deliver a high-standard Olympic Games with distinctive features.”
The luncheon banquet's guestlist including President George W. Bush and his wife Laura, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France - without his wife, Carla Bruni - and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin of Russia. In all, 80 heads of state or government, or members of royal families, were there.
Gordon Brown, the prime minister, has chosen not to come to the opening ceremony, though he will be at the closing ceremony for the handover of the Olympic flag to London.
Mr Hu made a distinctly non-political speech, full of gratitude for the help China has received in staging the Games from the rest of the world and in particular for support with rescue and clear-up efforts after the devastating Sichuan earthquake, which killed at least 70,000 people in May.
But he may have had in mind wider controversies over whether China had lived up to pledges on human rights and other issues when he addressed his hopes for the Games, which will start with a lavish fireworks display at the opening ceremony in the “Bird's Nest” National Stadium tonight.
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