On August 15, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao met at the Great Hall of the People with Singaporean President S. R. Nathan on the sidelines of the Beijing Olympic Games.

Extending welcome to Nathan, Hu thanked for his country's support for the Beijing Olympic Games and wished the Singaporean athletes good results in the competitions. Nathan praised Beijing for its grand and spectacular Olympics opening ceremony, the well-organized competitions and the happy communication among worldwide friends in the host city, saying it fully represents the theme of "One World, One Dream", as well as the concept of building a harmonious world proposed by China. China's successful hosting of the Games is a pride for all the Asian people, he added.

Hu said in recent years China-Singapore relations have achieved smooth development with frequent high-level exchanges, fruitful mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas and close coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs. China values its relations with Singapore and the two countries are highly complementary in economic and social development. "Under the complicated and ever-changing international situation, we should further enhance cooperation and seek common development," Hu said, adding that China is willing to work together with Singapore to keep promoting bilateral relations to new highs.

Nathan said that bilateral cooperation has been expanding with a higher level of complementarity. China's rapid development will benefit all countries in the region and help improve people's livelihood. Singapore cherishes its relations with China, said Nathan, adding that his country expects to strengthen the friendly and reciprocal cooperation with China and enhance their communication and coordination in international and regional affairs.

Hu briefed Nathan on the relief work and post-quake reconstruction and expressed thanks for Singapore's sending rescue team and offering assistance to China following the devastating earthquake that hit its southwestern Sichuan Province on May 12. Nathan expressed belief that the Chinese government and people will win the victory in post-disaster reconstruction work and the people in the quake-hit areas will have a brighter future.

Ling Jihua, Wang Huning and Dai Bingguo attended the meeting.