Visiting Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Moroccan King Mohammed VI held extensive and in-depth talks in Rabat October 28 over bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern.

The King praised the development of bilateral relationship since diplomatic ties between the two countries were established 41 years ago. He expressed the confidence that Jiang's current state visit will undoubtedly inject new vitality to the bilateral friendly relations of cooperation.

Jiang first expressed the grief over the death of King Hassan II, who had made immortal contributions to the national independence and development of Morocco, and to promoting the peace process of the Middle East and the solidarity between the Middle East and African countries.

Hassan has enjoyed high prestige in African, Arabian countries and even in the whole world, Jiang said. He has also had deep friendship with several generations of Chinese leaders.

Jiang said that under the excellent leadership of King Mohammed VI, Moroccan people will surely build their country into a more prosperous one.

"Although China and Morocco are far apart, friendship between peoples of the two countries has enjoyed a long history. Both of the two countries have suffered exploitation and aggression of the Western colonialists in modern history and national sovereignty has been infringed upon," Jiang said.

In contemporary history, Jiang said, both countries have taken precious their respective self independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Morocco is one of the first African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China.

The Chinese people have always held the feeling of gratitude toward their Moroccan counterpart for their support for China's revolutionary cause and construction, Jiang added.

Over the past 40 years, he said, bilateral relationship has enjoyed steady development under the common concern of leaders of the two countries, and cooperation in economic and trade, cultural, hygienic sectors has been fruitful.

"Coordination and cooperation over international affairs have been increasing day by day," Jiang said, adding that the longtime friendship between the two countries has demonstrated that so long as countries abide by the basic norms of international relationship and insist on the five principles of peaceful co-existence, relationship between nations will develop soundly and smoothly even though they have different social systems.

Jiang pointed out that the Chinese people have valued their traditional friendship with their Moroccan counterpart. It has been a set policy for the Chinese government to continue the development of friendly cooperation with Morocco in all sectors.

"Morocco has important influence among Arabic, Islamic and African countries," Jiang said. "China attaches importance to the role of Morocco in regional and international affairs and it is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Morocco over international and regional issues, so as to safeguard the interest of the developing countries including China and Morocco."

Jiang formally invited King Mohammed VI to visit China at his convenient time. The King said he felt honored for the invitation and expressed gratitude.

The King said that the bilateral relationship between his country and China is based on mutual respect and that is why it can pass by the clouds and enjoy sound development.

During his father's time, he said, Morocco has played the role of balancing in Africa and the Middle East, and China is also playing an important role of balancing at the international stage these days.

The King said that his country is willing to develop continuously cooperation with China in all fields.

The two heads of state also exchanged views over the bilateral economic and trade relationship.

Jiang said that it is the common wish of the two countries to further boost the economic and trade cooperation, which still has great potential for development.

The Chinese President said China has attached importance to developing its economic and trade relationship with Morocco, and has encouraged enterprises of the two countries to strengthen exchanges and cooperation.

"China is willing to make joint efforts with Morocco on the basis of equality and common development to probe actively for new channels for bilateral economic and trade cooperation so as to boost it to a new height," Jiang added.

The King said that Morocco will exert its efforts to make Chinese entrepreneurs invest in Morocco as in their own country.

After the talks, the two sides signed two agreements on the Chinese government's provision of preferential loans to Morocco and on economic and technological cooperation between the two countries. (Xinhua)