Chen said Shanghai and Uruguay cherish good ties, and Shanghai will work to further their friendship.

　　Batlle expressed admiration for the eastern Chinese metropolis' rapid development, saying his country values its economic cooperation with Shanghai.

　　Batlle and his entourage arrived in Shanghai from Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

　　Shaanxi's acting Governor Jia Zhibang met with the Uruguayan guests. Jia pledged to further promote the two sides' cooperation in economy, trade and tourism.

　　Battle arrived Sunday in Beijing for a six-day working visit at the invitation of Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2002)