Argentine Vice President Julio Cobos Thursday congratulated China on the successful Olympics and its first place on the Olympic gold medal table in a message to Chinese Ambassador Zeng Gang.

Cobos spoke highly of the dazzling opening and closing ceremonies of the 29th Olympiad, and the "perfect" organization of the Games that has made it possible for athletes from all over the world to concentrate on their competitions.

He congratulated the "excellent performance of Chinese athletes," which has topped China for the first time on the Olympic gold medal table.

Their achievements are closely linked to the huge and sustained supports from the Chinese government, Cobos said, adding that China has made itself a successful model for sports development.

He also thanked China for the warm receptions for the Argentine delegation during the Games.

(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2008)