Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met Tuesday with his counterparts from India, Indonesia, Iran, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Papua New Guinea, Ukraine, as well as representatives of the UN reform panel and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on the sidelines of the 59th UN General Assembly and exchanged views with them on wide-ranging issues of mutual concern.

Their talks covered bilateral ties, regional peace and stability and the reform of the United Nations.

During his talks with Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh, Li said China is sincerely willing to develop relations of mutual benefit and good neighborliness with India. The two countries should make joint efforts to deepen understanding and friendship between the two peoples and boost bilateral cooperation in every field.

Singh said India attaches great importance to developing relations with China and will continue its efforts in this aspect.

While meeting with his Indonesian counterpart, Hasan Wirayuda, the Chinese foreign minister said that to develop long-term and friendly cooperation with Indonesia is China's consistent foreign policy. China respects the choice of Indonesian people and hopes to continue strengthening cooperation after the Southeast Asian country's presidential election.

In his respective talks with Eritrean and Ethiopian foreign ministers, Li stressed that China attaches importance to its ties with developing countries and is willing to promote cooperation with the African Union.

During their meeting, Li and Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi focused their discussion on improving bilateral ties. Li expressed his gratitude for Iran's steady support to China on Taiwan and human rights issues. They also exchanged views on the Iraqi situation and the Iran's nuclear issue.

While meeting with representatives of the GCC, Li said the GCC is an important partner of China. The two sides should strengthen cooperation in the fields of economy, energy, culture and education, which are of great potential.

The GCC highly praised China's role in international and regional affairs and reiterated its adherence to the one-China policy.

The two sides also discussed issues concerning the fight against terrorism, the UN reform, Iraq, the Middle East and the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula.

During the meeting with members of the High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, Li briefed them on China's views on the UN reform, saying the reform should be focused on solving problems and help realize the millennium goal of the United Nations.

The panel members hoped that China, one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and the biggest developing country in the world, will continues to support the panel's work and make joint efforts with the panel to strengthen the role of the United Nations.

Foreign Minister Li arrived in New York on Sunday to attend the 59th UN General Assembly and is expected to leave New York on Thursday.

Source: Xinhua