President Hu Jintao put forward four suggestions for advancing
relations between China and Bolivia in the new century today.
Hu raised the propositions during a meeting with visiting
Bolivian President-elect Juan Evo Morales Ayma in the Great Hall of
the People in Beijing this morning.
Hu said the two countries should increase high-level contact by
expanding friendly exchanges between governmental departments,
legislatures and political parties. He said the two countries
should continue to share mutual understanding and support on issues
concerning fundamental interests of the two nations.
Hu also proposed that the two countries should deepen economic
cooperation and trade by exploring new possibilities of expanding
cooperation in such areas as investment and trade. He said China
will encourage strong and prestigious Chinese companies to invest
in Bolivia and welcome Bolivian companies to do business in
China.
Hu said China and Bolivia should expand cooperation in such
areas as culture, education, science, technology and medical
service, thus promoting dialogues and exchanges between different
civilizations and enhancing mutual understanding and friendship
between the two peoples.
Hu said the two countries should strengthen cooperation on
international and multilateral affairs and jointly safeguard the
rightful interests of developing countries so as to promote peace,
stability and development of the world.
The Chinese government places great importance on developing
relations with Bolivia, Hu said. He said China is ready to join
efforts with Bolivia to promote friendly and cooperative bilateral
relations to a new level and bring benefits to both countries and
their people.
Morales agreed with Hu's proposals on expanding bilateral
relations. He expressed the wish to further expand trade between
the two countries and increase Bolivia's exports to China. He
welcomes Chinese companies to invest in Bolivia and take part in
the country's economic development. Bolivia is ready to carry out
friendly exchanges with China in all fields and strengthen
consultation and cooperation on international affairs.
Hu congratulates Morales on being elected as President of
Bolivia and warmly welcomes him to visit China shortly after the
election.
Hu said relations between China and Bolivia have been growing
smoothly on the basis of the five principles of peaceful
co-existence since the two countries established diplomatic links
21 years ago. The two countries have established political mutual
trust and treat each other as equals, Hu said. They have carried
out mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation in the economic
field. The two countries have understood and supported each other
on international and multilateral affairs, Hu said.
Morales said the Bolivian people regard China as a trust-worthy
friend and partner. He said expanding relations with China will be
a priority among the policy goals of his presidency. The Bolivian
government and himself will work for further deepening friendly
cooperation with China and realizing common development, Morales
said.
Morales reiterated that Bolivia will firmly adhere to the
one-China policy.
(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2006)
