Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on Monday met with the U.S. presidential delegation to the Beijing Paralympics, headed by U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake.

Xi welcomed Peake, who said his first trip to Beijing was "an amazing experience" and Saturday's opening ceremony was "magnificent."

Xi thanked the U.S. government and people for their support of the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, citing President George W. Bush's attendance at the Olympics' opening ceremony and the high-profile presidential delegation to the Paralympics.

Peake said, "It is very wonderful to be here to represent the U.S. President Bush and the United States of America."

Peake said many members of his delegation had attended several Paralympic games and won gold medals.

During their half-hour talks in downtown Beijing's Diaoyutai Guesthouse, Xi also extended condolences to the people affected last week by Hurricane Gustav in the southern United States.

Millions of people on the U.S. Gulf Coast fled before the arrival of Hurricane Gustav, which left many places without working power, water and sewage systems.

"I am convinced that the U.S. people will prevail over the hurricane and rebuild," Xi said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 8, 2008)