Visiting Chinese top national advisor Jia Qinglin held talks with Rodolfo Gustavo Nin Noboa, Uruguayan vice president and president of the National Congress, on bilateral relations in Montevideo Thursday.  

During the talks, Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 17 years ago, the bilateral relations have been developing steadily.

The two countries have increasingly strengthened exchanges and cooperation in the areas of economy, trade, culture, science and technology, while maintaining good coordination and cooperation on international affairs, Jia said.

China, attaching great importance to developing relations with Uruguay, is willing to work with the Uruguayan side to further the bilateral relations, he said.

China highly appreciates the one-China policy upheld by the Uruguayan government, said the Chinese leader, hoping that Uruguay would continue to support the Chinese people in their endeavor for the peaceful reunification of the country.

The Taiwan question is a principled one in which China's core interests lie, said Jia, who arrived here Wednesday for an official goodwill visit at the invitation of the Uruguayan government.

Jia pointed out that though their bilateral trade has registered rapid progress in recent years, the two countries are yet to tap the great potential in economic and trade cooperation.

Hoping to strengthen cooperation and take full advantage of their complementarity in economy and trade, the Chinese leader said the two countries should update their trade cooperation in various ways and expand mutual investment.

The communication between CPPCC and the Uruguayan National Congress is an important part of the bilateral relations and playing a great role in promoting the development of relations, Jia said.

He noted that CPPCC is willing to work with Uruguayan National Congress to make new contributions to the further development of bilateral relations by promoting exchanges and cooperation in various areas.

Noboa also spoke highly of the development of bilateral relations, saying that he is not only satisfied with the smooth development of their political relations, but also with their exchanges and cooperation in the areas of economy, trade and culture.

China has become Uruguay's 4th largest trading partner, Noboa pointed out.

The top Uruguayan legislator said that he admires China's rapid economic development and Uruguay is willing to learn from the useful experiences accumulated by China.

Uruguay attaches great importance to developing the friendly ties with China, Noboa said. He expressed the same hope that the two countries would further increase high-level exchanges of visits and strengthen cooperation in the areas of economy, trade and investment.

Noboa pledged that Uruguay would stick to the one-China policy.     

Uruguayan National Congress is also willing to increase exchanges and strengthen cooperation with CPPCC, he added.

Jia laid a wreath on Thursday at the memorial of Jose Gervasio Artigas, Uruguay's national hero and leader of independence movement.

(Xinhua News Agency May 21, 2005)