Chinese President Hu Jintao, on his way to talks with President George W. Bush, on Tuesday met with Bill Gates. 

After the meeting with Gates, the world's richest man, at Microsoft's headquarters, Hu reiterated that China would move against software pirates (采取措施打击盗版软件).

At Microsoft Corp.'s campus, Hu said Tuesday he admired what Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates had achieved. He also sought to reassure Gates that China is serious about protecting intellectual property rights.

"Because you, Mr. Bill Gates, are a friend of China, I'm a friend of Microsoft," Hu said.

"Also, I am dealing with the operating system produced by Microsoft every day," he added, to laughter.

Gates responded: "Thank you, it's a fantastic relationship," and then said: "And if you ever need advice on how to use Windows, I'll be glad to help."

"China is focused on and has already accomplished much in creating and enforcing laws to protect intellectual property (知识产权
)," he said. "We take our promises very seriously."

Hu also said he would certainly welcome a further increase in Microsoft's investment in China.

"I'd also like to take this opportunity to assure you, Bill Gates, that we will certainly honor our words in protecting intellectual property rights," Hu said.

In his whirlwind (原意指“旋风”，这里可理解为“短暂的”) visit to the Microsoft campus, Hu, accompanied by Gates, company CEO Steve Ballmer and an entourage( 随从人员) of Chinese dignitaries, saw some business technology demonstrations and toured Microsoft's Home of the Future, which features experimental technology that might someday be used in people's living spaces.

Following the meeting at Microsoft, about 100 guests, including former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and former Gov. Gary Locke, the first Chinese-American governor, were invited to Gates' $100 million lakeside mansion on Lake Washington for a dinner.

China has recently begun requiring Chinese computer makers to preload legal software on their machines.

In Seattle's Chinatown, many stores hung Chinese and U.S. flags to welcome Hu, and many in the crowd outside the stately Fairmont Hotel where Hu is staying were there to support the Chinese president.