State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and Bolivian president-elect Juan Evo Morales Ayma pledged during their meeting in Beijing Sunday to enhance bilateral economic cooperation and coordination on international affairs.

 

Tang told Morales that he appreciated his visit, made three weeks right after the election, which indicated the importance Bolivia attached to the Sino-Bolivian relations.

 

The friendly and cooperative ties between China and Bolivia is built on the solid political foundation, Tang said.

 

"As both developing nations, we understood and supported each other on issues that concern our fundamental interest," Tang said.

 

"We have maintained sound coordination and cooperation on international and regional affairs and are both striving for world peace, stability and development," he acknowledged.

 

Tang noted that the economies of the two countries are highly complementary to each other and can fully enhance mutual-beneficial cooperation with their own advantages.

 

It's in compliance with the basic interest of the people of both countries to develop Sino-Bolivian friendly and cooperative ties and China will exert its concerted efforts with Bolivia to push bilateral ties to a new high, he said.

 

Morales said that he hopes through this visit to learn from China's development experience, increase consensus and mutual-trust, and strengthen cooperation in trade and economic fields, technology and investment sectors.

 

Bolivia attaches importance to its relations with China, and it will have a deeper understanding of and will firmly adhere to the one-China policy, he said, adding that his country hopes to further enhance its coordination with China on international affairs.

 

Morales arrived in Beijing Sunday morning for a two-day visit to China at the invitation of the Chinese government, during which, he is expected to meet President Hu Jintao.

 

Morales won the presidential election on December 18, last year and will take office on January 22.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2006)