July 20, 2008 

Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) talks to foreign athletes as he visits East China's port city of Qingdao, Shandong Province to inspect preparatory work for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games' sailing event, July 20, 2008. [Xinhua Photo]

Chinese President Hu Jintao on Sunday visited east China's port city of Qingdao to inspect preparatory work for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games' sailing event and local enterprises.

Hu was pleased at the efforts Qingdao had made to clean seawater and make it qualified for Olympics' sailing event. He urged continuing to keep alert and make efforts to ensure a smooth sailing event.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) visits a local enterprise during his tour in East China's port city of Qingdao, Shandong Province to inspect preparatory work for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games' sailing event, July 20, 2008. [Xinhua Photo]

Starting in mid-June, the coast of Qingdao was coated with a vast algae coming from the Yellow Sea. A bright green covering of algae smothered beaches and extended out several hundred meters. It once covered 32 percent of the sailing venue at the peak of the outbreak.

Hu visited the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center, highly praising the adoption of renewable energy and environment-friendly materials in the center's buildings.

Hu urged the center staff to make more earnest preparations for a sailing event to be satisfied by the world, athletes and Chinese people.

He encouraged Chinese athletes to achieve good results with confidence and morale.

Hu also talked with some foreign athletes in Qingdao for preliminary trainings. "The Chinese people are showing their warm welcome to athletes from all over the world. We will do our best to provide good service for you," he said.

On Sunday afternoon, Hu paid visits to two local enterprises to inspect their operations.

Hu stressed that the slowing growth of the world economy and increase of uncertain and unstable factors are bringing disadvantageous influence on China's economic development.

But we should turn this challenge into an opportunity, speed up the transfer of growth patterns, push forward innovation and improve management to maintain a sound development trend for the enterprises, the president said.

He called on local governments to boost policy support and services for the enterprises, small and medium-sized firms in particular.