Chinese Premier Meets Italian Chamber President

Premier Zhu Meets Italian Chamber President

Premier Zhu Rongji met with President Luciano Violante of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Friday.

Zhu, in welcoming Violante on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, spoke highly of the bilateral cooperation in the political, economic and trade, cultural sectors.

China is willing to work together with Italy to improve bilateral relations to a new level in the new century, said the Premier.

Zhu also voiced his appreciation for the efforts of the Italian Chamber of Deputies to stimulate ties between China and Italy.

Violante said that Zhu's visit to Italy in July helped increase the mutual understanding and promote bilateral cooperation.

Italy highly appreciates China's role in world affairs and hopes to enhance contact and expand cooperation with China to jointly face the challenges brought about by economic globalization, he said.

Violante is here for an official good-will visit to China at the invitation of Chairman Li Peng of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress.