Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase made the remarks on arrival in China for a two-day official visit -- taking place despite the deadly severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic.

Nastase is accompanied with five ministers and several senior officials and presents China with humanitarian aid, including medicines and medical equipment. He said the Romanian Government and people sincerely support China's campaign against SARS and praised the measures and efforts taken by Chinese authorities.

Nastase was welcomed by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at the Great Hall of the People, where the two leaders reviewed a guard of honour before their meeting.

Top legislator Wu Bangguo also met Nastase separately Wednesday.

"You are visiting China at a critical time when the Chinese people are fighting SARS,'' Wen said as the two sat down for talks. "Adversity tries true friendship.

"This not only shows that prime minister attaches importance to relations with China and also reflects the friendly feelings between the Romanian and Chinese peoples.''

Wen expressed appreciation of support from many countries and international organizations and said China is well prepared and is confident of winning the fight against SARS.

On bilateral relations, Wen said China and Romania have always understood and supported each other whatever the prevailing international situation.

With the expansion of bilateral co-operation in various fields, Wen put forward a three-point proposal to further bilateral ties. It includes maintaining high-level contacts to consolidate political ties, pushing forward economic and trade relations and exchanges in investment and finance, and enhancing consultation and co-operation in international affairs.

Wen said China hopes Romania's entry to the European Union will spur efforts to promote relations between China and the entity.

On economic and trade ties, Nastase said Romania hoped to expand bilateral trade and co-operation in the fields of water resources and electricity.

Romania is also willing to participate in China's "Go West'' project to develop its remote western regions.

Romania also highly values China's increasingly important role in world affairs, Nastase was quoted as saying by a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman.

In a separate meeting with Nastase, Wu said China's National People's Congress attached great importance to co-operation with the parliament of Romania, noting that frequent contacts between the two have played an important role in promoting cooperation between the two governments and peoples.

Both Wu and Nastase called on the two parliamentary bodies to learn from each other and further cooperation.

(China Daily May 15, 2003)