President Hu Jintao met visiting International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge, invited to attend China's 10th National Games in Nanjing on Wednesday.

He welcomed Rogge and other visiting IOC members, expressing gratitude to the IOC for its contributions to the development of Chinese sport.

Hu said the National Games is the biggest and the highest-level sports meet in China and a rehearsal of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games to evaluate Chinese athletes and further enhance preparations for the Olympics.

Rogge said he was glad to meet Hu again and was grateful for being invited to attend the National Games.

Hu said Olympic preparations are strictly being implemented with the help of the IOC, and the government attaches great importance and extends its full support to them.

The IOC has maintained sound relations with Beijing's organizing committee (BOCOG) in their efforts for a high-quality Olympic Games, said Rogge, adding that Chinese athletes made remarkable achievements at the Athens Olympics.

(Xinhua News Agency October 13, 2005)