Chinese Vice-President Meets Belgian PM

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, March 28, 2002

Chinese Vice-President Meets Belgian PM

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Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao told visiting Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt Wednesday that China attaches great importance to developing Sino-Belgian relations and is willing to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Hu said that trade volume between the two countries in the pastdecade has increased fivefold, and positive results have been achieved in exchanges and cooperation in science, education and culture.

Hu said China and Belgium, mutually complementary in economic development, share broad common interests and broad prospects of development, despite their differences in historical backgrounds, cultural tradition, social systems and levels of development.

Both countries have similar views on major international issuesand negotiations and consultations with each other on international affairs have increased over the years, he said.

Hu also pointed out that China has been consistent in supporting the unity of European countries, paying attention to comprehensive cooperation with the European Union.

He said that he expects Belgium, as one of the creators of the European Union, to continue its active role in promoting China's relations with the EU.

Guy Verhofstadt said that he is glad to meet with Hu Jintao forthe first time.

His first visit to China is intended to enlarge the prospect ofeconomic cooperation between Belgium and China, he said.

The Belgian PM noted that two memorandums signed Tuesday following talks with Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji will strengthen confidence between entrepreneurs of the two countries in investment and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Verhofstadt, whose entourage includes 50 business leaders, willleave for Shanghai and the nearby city of Suzhou in east China, but the business group will head for China's west.

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