Chinese President Hu Jintao said on Tuesday that the just-ended Beijing Olympic Games had scored a great success with the support and help of the whole international Olympic family.

Addressing a luncheon with South Korea's major economic groups, Hu said the Games, which had captured world attention, carried forward the Olympic spirit of unity, friendship and peace.

The grand sports event also put into practice the idea of "environment-friendly, technology-empowered and culture-enriched Olympics" and facilitated cultural exchanges among countries in the world, he said.

"I'm willing to take this opportunity to express heartfelt thanks to all the countries, including South Korea, and peoples that showed support to the Beijing Olympic Games," Hu said.

The Chinese leader also had a review of China's experience since it adopted the policy of reform and opening up 30 years ago and the consequent achievements.

"The Chinese people will unswervingly push forward the reform and opening-up policy and continue to strive to comprehensively build a moderately well-off society and accelerate the socialist modernization," he said.

Hu said China will always follow a path of peaceful development and a reciprocal win-win strategy in its opening-up policy.

China will seek a peaceful and open development by cooperating with the rest of the world, he said, noting that the Chinese people are willing to work hand-in-hand with other peoples for a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity.

The Chinese president was paying a two-day visit to South Korea as the first leg of his six-day Asian tour, which will also take him to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

He will also attend the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization slated for August 28 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan's capital.

(Xinhua News Agency August 26, 2008)