UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and other foreign leaders have congratulated the Chinese government and people on the successful hosting of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

A statement released by Secretary-General Ban's press office Monday said: "The secretary-general congratulates the government and people of China on their unprecedented effort and success in hosting the historic Olympic Games in Beijing."

"China can be proud of hosting a spectacular Olympiad, which brought together athletes and people from all over the world in celebration of the Olympic spirit, cooperation and goodwill," the statement said.

"The 2008 Summer Games provided an important opportunity for the promotion of international peace and harmony through deepened dialogue and mutual understanding within the international community," it added.

Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Dominican Premier Roosevelt Skerrit also conveyed their congratulations to China.

They praised the Chinese government's outstanding leadership and organizational ability, as well as the Chinese people's passion and spirit of unity. They said the Beijing Games will be long remembered as a splendid sports event in history.

(Xinhua News Agency August 27, 2008)