Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa met with visiting Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu on Friday to discuss bilateral relations.

During the meeting at the Carondelet Palace, Hui said Ecuador and China have been enjoying a deep traditional friendship.

Especially after Correa's successful visit to China in 2007, bilateral relations have entered a new phase, with positive progress made on cooperation in fields of economy, trade, culture and tourism, Hui said.

He said China attaches great importance to the bilateral relations and is willing to join hands with Ecuador to fulfill commitments that have been made by leaders of the two countries, achieve progress through more mutually beneficial cooperation and bring benefits to both peoples.

The two countries should work actively toward a balanced trade, make efforts to upgrade cooperation in economy, technology and investment, and strengthen cooperation in agriculture, Hui said.

For his part, Correa said China plays a responsible role in international affairs, and Ecuador shows respect for China and highly values China's position and influence in the world.

The two countries are enjoying a good relationship and fruitful cooperation with great potential, Correa said.

Ecuador views its mutually-beneficial cooperation with China from a strategic perspective and hopes to seize the opportunity brought from China's development so as to boost its own economic and social development, he said.

The president said Ecuador welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in the country, and there are many possibilities for cooperation on hydroelectric projects and infrastructure.

The Ecuadorian government will continue to stick to the one-China policy, he added.

Hui arrived in Quito on Thursday for an official visit to Ecuador.

(Xinhua News Agency Feburary 14, 2009)