Speaking highly of economic cooperation in trade as well as in politics, Hussni said friendly relations between China and Oman, which could be traced back more than 2,000 years to when the ancient "silk road" linked the two countries, had seen remarkable progress in recent years.

To celebrate the anniversary, Yousef Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah, Omani minister of State for Foreign Affairs, will exchange congratulatory letters with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, looking forward to more progress in cooperation and friendship between the two countries.

The Omani government will also issue commemorative postage stamps marking the special date, he said.

The two sides, based on mutual respect and consultation, were developing their friendly relations to the benefit of both peoples, he said.

He said China regarded Oman as an important strategic partner in the fields of energy and investment, expressing hope for more investment from China and further cooperation in oil, electricity, telecommunication, transportation and labor.

According to Chinese statistics, China-Oman trade volume reached US$1.51 billion in 2002, of which exports to Oman made up US$60 million and imports US$1.45 billion.

The ambassador said mutual support and understanding laid a solid foundation for the continued development of China-Oman relations.

The cooperation between the two countries had a bright future and would reach new levels through continued effort, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 23, 2003)