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Brown hails 'spectacular' Games Brown urges more China freedoms
(about 7 hours later)
Gordon Brown has hailed the Beijing Games as "a spectacular success", after talks with China's President Hu Jintao. Gordon Brown has urged China to continue with greater press freedoms allowed during the Olympics, in talks with China's President Hu Jintao.
Mr Brown is in Beijing for the final days of the games, including the closing ceremony where the Olympic flag will be formally handed to London. The prime minister also said he had raised China's stance on Zimbabwe and Darfur and was told the issues would be "part of our continuing discussions".
The prime minister has promised to raise the issue of China's human rights record with the country's leaders. Mr Brown and his wife Sarah went on to meet young athletes at Team GB's Olympics athletics lodge.
He will also meet young British athletes and discuss how the UK can build on its success in Beijing. He and his family are in Beijing for the final days of the Games.
On the way to the games, Mr Brown visited British troops in Afghanistan. Chinese authorities had promised to abide by Olympics reporting rules and to try their best to facilitate access.
He praised their "courage, professionalism and dedication", but faced repeated questions over whether his political position was under threat. But there have been complaints from journalists, for example ITN correspondent John Ray was among those detained while covering a pro-Tibet demonstration.
Civil liberties But speaking after talks with Mr Hu, the prime minister said there had been greater openness in place during the Olympics and he had stressed that he hoped it would remain.
Mr Brown has travelled to Beijing with his wife, Sarah, and their two young sons, John, four, and Fraser, two, who are said to be excited at the prospect of seeing some of the Olympic events. Tibet talks
But as well as enjoying the sporting spectacle, Mr Brown said he would not shy away from some of the political controversy surrounding it. With the whole world watching, the Olympic Games have captured the imagination of the whole global community Prime Minister Gordon Brown "It is in China's interest. It would be a very important gesture to the rest of the world if they were to say that these restrictions could be permanently removed," Mr Brown said.
He had vowed to press for an extension of the limited civil liberties opened up during the games. Mr Brown also said that he had urged a "productive" conclusion to talks with representatives of the Dalai Lama in the autumn over greater autonomy for Tibet.
However, he has consistently rejected calls to boycott the event, insisting that "engagement" with China's Communist rulers is crucial. Gordon Brown told President Hu the Beijing Olympic games had set a new standard.
Speaking alongside Mr Hu, Mr Brown said: "With the whole world watching, the Olympic Games have captured the imagination of the whole global community. "I think there is more common ground between the Chinese authorities and Tibet than is sometimes realised," he said.
"The 2008 Beijing Olympics have set a new standard for the Olympic Games, which we in London in 2012 will seek to follow." Mr Brown had rejected calls to boycott the event, insisting that "engagement" with China's Communist rulers is crucial and said on Friday the Games had been a "spectacular success".
"The 2008 Beijing Olympics have set a new standard for the Olympic Games, which we in London in 2012 will seek to follow," he said.
Olympic torch
When the torch arrived in London during its global relay, there were clashes on the streets between police and pro-Tibetan protesters.When the torch arrived in London during its global relay, there were clashes on the streets between police and pro-Tibetan protesters.
But on Friday Mr Hu thanked Mr Brown for the reception he gave to the torch.But on Friday Mr Hu thanked Mr Brown for the reception he gave to the torch.
I'm not counting my chickens yet Gerry SutcliffeSports minister Medals tableJowell rejects athletes cash fears
"When the torch of the Beijing Games ran in London you personally welcomed it and also expressed support for Beijing for which we would like to express our appreciation and gratitude," he said."When the torch of the Beijing Games ran in London you personally welcomed it and also expressed support for Beijing for which we would like to express our appreciation and gratitude," he said.
Mr Brown is due to meet Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao later on Friday. Mr Brown is in Beijing with his wife and their two young sons, John and Fraser, for the last few days of the Games and for the closing ceremony on Sunday, when the Olympic flag will be handed to London's mayor Boris Johnson.
He went on to meet young athletes at the Olympic athletic lodge and will be discussing how Britain can build on its Olympic successes in Beijing - where Team GB is currently third in the medal table with 18 golds.
'Pretty nervous'
Earlier sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe, who famously bet his Australian counterpart Kate Ellis that Britain would outstrip Australia in the medals table, said it was not over yet.
The two rivals are currently neck-and-neck in terms of overall medal haul - although Britain is ahead on golds.
Mr Sutcliffe told BBC Radio 4's Today programme earlier: "We have got a couple more days to go so I'm not counting my chickens yet but it's been a fantastic experience."
Mr Sutcliffe and Ms Ellis agreed that the loser would agree to wear their rivals' national colours to a major sporting event in their own country.
Ms Ellis has been quoted as saying she was "getting pretty nervous" and hoping Australians could clinch a few more medals.
Francis Adamson, Australia's acting high commissioner, told the BBC Britain was probably "uncatchable" on golds but she "still had some hope" on the overall tally. Asked if Ms Ellis would wear a red, white and blue shirt if they lost, she added: "Australians never welch on bets".