The bank wanted to build a cooperative partnership with Sichuan Province and maintain its partnership with China, he said at the Third Western China International Exposition, which opened Saturday in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan.

The partnership would not only be with China's current leaders, but would also survive for another 10, 20 or even 100 years, he added.

The World Bank expected China to wipe out poverty, let people of different cultures live together harmoniously, and make the country more strong and prosperous, Wolfensohn said.

Sichuan had made marked progress in economic and social development. Wolfensohn said he was deeply expressed with the efforts of the Chinese government, especially the Sichuan provincial government, in promoting the development of areas inhabited by minority nationalities.

The World Bank will offer aid to Sichuan for the development of agriculture, education, public health, infrastructure, the private sector and high-tech industries. It is negotiating with Sichuan over cooperation in the fields of agriculture and education.

Up to 2001, China had used US$34.1 billion in loans provided by the World Bank to support the construction of 234 projects.

(People?s Daily May 26, 2002)