Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met here Sunday morning with Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, who attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on Friday night.

Wen extended welcome to Vanhanen and his entourage.

"Your presence reminded me of the 1952 Olympiad in Helsinki," Wen said. "That was the first time that the new China organized athletes to attend the Olympic Games."

The Chinese team was warmly received by the Finnish people during the Games, and the Chinese people never forgot that, he said.

Finland had sent a large number of athletes to the Beijing Games, which was a big support, Wen said.

Vanhanen said the world had seen China's efforts in preparing for the Games and the opening ceremony was very successful.

He said although he wasn't born when Helsinki hosted the Olympics, he knew the Games' significance to the Finnish people.

"So I totally understand the significance of the Beijing Games to the Chinese people, and I firmly believe the Games will be a success," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2008)