Chinese Vice-Premier Wen Jiabao met here Monday afternoon with Abderrahmane Sbai, minister delegate in charge of the Administration of National Defense in the Prime Minister's Office of Morocco.
Expressing a welcome, Wen voiced his belief that Sbai's current visit to China will further promote the friendly relations between the two countries, and their peoples and armed forces.
Noting that although China and Morocco are far away from each other, the friendship between the two peoples dates back many years. Wen pointed out that the two peoples have sympathized with and supported each other since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 43 years ago.
The Chinese government appreciates the Moroccan government’s consistent "one China" policy in the past and its support for China on some major international issues like human rights, Wen said.
He said he hopes that the friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, peoples and armed forces will continue to move forward on the basis of mutual understanding, respect, equality and friendship.
Pointing to the long-lasting contacts between the two peoples, Sbai said that although the two countries are far apart geographically, bilateral exchanges and cooperation are vigorous at present and he hopes that bilateral economic and trade cooperation can be further strengthened.
(Xinhua News Agency 06/18/2001)
