Hu made the remarks in Beijing on Monday afternoon while meeting with visiting Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Morshed Khan, who arrived in Beijing on Sunday afternoon for an official visit.

Hu said China and Bangladesh were neighbors with a long history of friendly exchanges. Bilateral relations had progressed smoothly since the two countries forged diplomatic ties.

He pointed to the frequent exchanges of high-level visits, active exchanges between governments, parties and non-governmental institutions on both sides, and their fruitful cooperation in various fields.

The two countries had always supported each other and cooperated closely in international and regional affairs, added Hu.

He voiced China's appreciation for Bangladesh's "one-China" policy and its understanding and support for China on such issues as Taiwan, Tibet and human rights.

He also stressed there was a firm foundation for furthering bilateral friendship.

Elaborating on China's consistent stance on international and regional issues, Hu stressed that China would continue being a sincere friend to all south Asian countries and making positive efforts for peace, cooperation and development in the region.

Morshed Khan noted that Bangladesh-China friendship and cooperation had progressed steadily since the two countries set up diplomatic ties. The Bangladeshi people appreciated the Chinese government and people's assistance in the past.

He pointed out that the Bangladeshi government valued bilateral economic and trade cooperation and supported business cooperative projects in a bid to make bilateral cooperation an example of south-south cooperation.

He said his country was satisfied with bilateral exchanges at various levels. Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was expecting to visit China at the end of this year, believing her visit would further promote bilateral friendship and cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency September 3, 2002)