Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said Sunday China has always regarded Romania as an important partner and friend in middle and eastern Europe.
China is willing to work together with the Romanian side to push forward the long-term, all-round and healthy development friendly cooperation between the two countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and no interference in each other's internal affairs, Li said.
The CPPCC has kept close ties with the Romanian Senate and the two sides should strengthen cooperation so as to play a role in promoting relations between China and Romania, Li said at a meeting here with Nicolae Vacaroiu, chairman of the Romanian Senate.
Li called Vacaroiu an old friend of the Chinese people who has made great contribution to the friendly relations between the two countries.
Although great changes have taken place in the world and in then two countries as well, Li said, the friendship between China and Romania has remained unchanged and continuous progress has been made in bilateral relations.
Li said China respects Romanian people's decision in choosing their road of development and the domestic and foreign policies of the Romanian government.
Vacaroiu said that the traditional friendship between the two countries would never been undermined at any circumstances in the future.
He spoke highly of the achievements China has made in last couple of years and congratulated China on its entry into the World Trade Organization. China has maintained sustained, steady economic growth while many developed countries in the world are witnessing an economic recession. It's really a hard-won success, Vacaroiu said.
He expressed the hope that the business communities of the two countries would strengthen exchange and cooperation and more Chinese enterprises would invest in Romania. The Romanian people could learn from the Chinese people their successful experience gained in the process of reform and opening up.
Vacaroiu conveyed to Li a letter from Romanian President Ion Iliescu to Chinese President Jiang Zemin, and a letter from Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase to Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji.
(Xinhua News Agency November 25, 2001)
