Chinese President Hu Jintao viewed the Hong Kong Sports Institute and chatted with elite Hong Kong athletes who are training for the 2008 Beijing Olympics on Friday afternoon.

Hu arrived here earlier the day to attend celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the swearing-in ceremony of the third term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The president said while talking with the athletes that Hong Kong sports talents have made great achievements in competitions at the international level.

He encouraged the athletes to perform well at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

While talking with Wong Kam-po, a world bicycle champion, Hu praised him by saying, "You are a treasure more precious than gold."

The president watched performances of wheel-chair fencing and table tennis playing.

Hu then talked with Li Ching and Ko Lai-chak, the duo of Olympic table tennis silver medalists.

Hu also played table tennis with 13-year-old athlete Chiu Chung-hei and won applause of the crowd for his skills.

The president wished Hong Kong athletes good results at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Source: Xinhua