By Chong Zi and Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-05-10 07:39

TOKYO: President Hu Jintao met with members of the Japanese lawmakers' league of support for the 2008 Beijing Olympics on Friday morning, and expressed gratitude for their enthusiasm and goodwill.

The fact that 300 Japanese congressmen from different parties have formed a group to show their support for the Beijing Olympics, fully shows the Japanese public's friendship toward the Chinese people, and their efforts to carry forward the Olympic spirit, Hu said.

Proposed by Japanese House of Representatives Speaker Yohei Kono, the league was set up on March 26 last year - exactly 500 days before the start of the Beijing Games - to promote friendly ties with China.

President Hu Jintao gifts books to students at a Chinese school in Yokohama on Friday. CNS

With an initial membership of 225, the group has since swelled to more than 300 lawmakers, making it the largest multi-party and non-standing organization in the Japanese congress.

Hu said this summer's Games - the third to be held in Asia - belongs not only to the people of China, but to people throughout Asia and the world.

China has created the theme of "One World, One Dream" for the Games and attaches great importance to the concept of a green, hi-tech and humanitarian Olympics, Hu said.

"The Chinese government and people will uphold their commitment to the international community and do our best to hold a successful Olympic Games with the full support of the international Olympic family," he said.

He said he hoped the league and the Japanese public will continue to show their support for the Beijing Games.

Kono, the group's chairman, said the league comprises members from each of Japan's congress parties.

"We sincerely wish Beijing every success for the Olympics and are ready to do all we can do to help," he said.

The Beijing Games is both China's and Asia's Olympics, he said, adding that he hoped the event will help promote cultural and sports exchanges between China and Japan.

The leaders and advisors to the support league are all senior Japanese politicians and include several former prime ministers, such as Toshiki Kaifu and Yoshiro Mori.

Incumbent Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is the group's vice-chairman, while six of its founding members are former Olympians.

(China Daily 05/10/2008 page2)