Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Zhou Yongkang on Saturday met with Jay Hill, a senior member of the Conservative Party of Canada, on the sidelines of the Beijing Olympics.

Zhou, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, welcomed Hill, who is the highest-ranking Canadian official set to attend the closing ceremony of the Games on Sunday.

Canada was represented at the Aug. 8 opening ceremony by Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson, with Secretary of State for Sport Helena Guergis leading a sports delegation.

Zhou hailed the Canadian athletes' excellent performances at the Games, citing Canada's 18 medal wins by Saturday.

"I am sure your athletes will do a better job at winter Olympics," Zhou said, hinting at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.

In response, Hill said, "I apologize for not knowing the total medal count of China, but I know you have won a lot of gold."

Hill also congratulated Zhou on the security of the Games as Zhou served the secretary of the Political and Legislative Affairs Committee of the CPC Central Committee and oversaw the security.

Source: Xinhua