Chinese President Jiang Zemin said in Shnaghai Saturday that he is fully confident in the prospects of the development of the bilateral relations between China and Peru.

Jiang made the remark when meeting with Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo, who is in Shanghai to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting.

Toledo said that the Shanghai APEC meeting provides a good chance for a meeting with President Jiang and an important opportunity for strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.

Toledo said that despite the long distance between Peru and China, the friendship between the two countries has deeply rooted among the people of Peru.

He expressed confidence in the prospects for bilateral cooperation in trade, economic, scientific, technological and cultural fields.

Toledo congratulated China on its imminent entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), saying that this is of great significance in the development of the world economy.

Jiang again congratulated Toledo on taking the presidency of Peru and welcomed Toledo to attend the APEC meeting.

Jiang said that the Sino-Peruvian relations have progressed in an all-round way since the two countries established diplomatic relations 30 years ago, and mutual understanding and friendship between people of the two countries have kept deepening.

Jiang also expressed satisfaction with the progress in bilateral trade and economic cooperation, and close cooperation of the two countries in international affairs. He expressed confidence in the prospects for the development of bilateral relations between China and Peru.

China attaches great importance to trade and economic cooperation between the two nations, Jiang said, adding he was confident that bilateral cooperation in this regard will continue to make fresh progress through concerted efforts of the governments and business circles of the two countries.

Jiang said that China is willing to join all APEC member economies, including Peru, to convene a successful APEC meeting in Shanghai and contribute to the APEC process.

(Xinhua News Agency 10/20/2001)