Chinese President Hu Jintao on Saturday met separately with several foreign leaders in the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing.

The foreign leaders included President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Myung bak, President of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar, Uzbek President Islam Karimov, and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

The leaders all attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, held in the National Stadium in north Beijing on Friday night.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Myung bak during their meeting in Beijing, China, Aug. 9, 2008. Lee Myung bak attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on Friday night. [Xinhua]

In his meeting with the ROK president, Hu called for more efforts from all parties involved to advance the six-party talks to a new stage.

"We hope all parties of the six-party talks enhance communication and coordination, try to implement the second phase action of the talks soon in a comprehensive and balanced way, and advance the talks to a new stage," said Hu.

He reaffirmed China's consistent support for the reconciliation and cooperation between the north and south of the Korean Peninsula.

The ROK president responded that the six-party talks are progressing on the right track, and the ROK will strive to promote the development of south-north relations in the right direction.

On the China-ROK relationship, President Hu said the relationship is heading in the right direction, and he is looking forward to his forthcoming state visit to the ROK.

Lee said the ROK government and people are pleased with the establishment and development of the strategic partnership with China and are looking forward to Hu's visit.