Chinese foreign minister Yang Jiechi held talks with his Fijian counterpart Epeli Nailatikau on Thursday, agreeing to enrich cooperative partnership.

China-Fiji relations have achieved fruitful results since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1972, Yang said.

Chinese government always attaches importance to developing relations with Fiji, and hopes to expand friendly exchanges and cooperation, Yang said.

Echoing Yang's remarks, Nailatikau, Fiji's Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, said China as Fiji's sincere friend, has lent strong support to Fiji in the areas of politics, economy and the United Nations affairs, which the Fijian government and people deeply appreciate.

Nailatikau reiterated his country's firm adherence to the one-China policy, saying Fiji will make joint efforts with China to push forward bilateral relations.

Nailatikau is in Beijing on a working visit from August 29 to September 2 as guest of Yang.

Earlier on Thursday, Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu had a meeting with Nailatikau. Hui told him the Chinese government attaches great importance to its relations with Fiji, and is ready to increase personnel exchanges with Fiji and maintain consultations on international and regional issues.

In response, Nailatikau said his government treasures Fiji-China friendship, and is grateful to the assistance China has offered to support Fiji's economic and social development.

Fiji hopes to expand cooperation with China in the areas of trade, public health, tourism as well as UN and regional affairs, he told Hui.

(Xinhua News Agency August 31, 2007)