UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday he was impressed by the "spectacular" Olympic facilities he saw last month during his visit to Beijing.

Speaking at the opening of a Chinese art exhibition at the UN headquarters in New York, Ban said his visit to China moved him and he was "grateful for the warm and exciting welcome" he and his delegation received.

While in Beijing, Ban visited a number of Olympic venues and said he was impressed by the preparations made.

"They were the most spectacular Olympic facilities I have ever seen," he said.

"I was impressed by the strength of the Chinese people who made the preparations even after the earthquake. I extended my deep congratulations to the Chinese people," he said.

In true diplomatic style, Ban said he was confident the Beijing Olympics will be the "most successful" in the Games' history, and will provide a forum for athletes and people around the world to promote "mutual understanding and peace, stability and prosperity".

Also on Monday, US President George W. Bush met with US Olympians at the White House ahead of their departure for Beijing.

Bush will attend the opening ceremony and the first few days of the Olympics.

Standing in the Rose Garden with about two dozen Olympic and Paralympic athletes, Bush said he could not wait to share the joy of their triumphs, but also urged them to be mindful they are "ambassadors of liberty" to the people of China and elsewhere.

In response to Bush's remarks, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said yesterday that China hopes all athletes will uphold the Olympic spirit and contribute to promoting understanding and friendship among all the countries in the world.

Agencies - China Daily