China is willing to work with Kuwait to push forward the comprehensive development of the friendly relations between the two countries as well as other Arab states of the Gulf, said Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in Beijing Monday.

In his meeting with visiting Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Muhammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Li expressed appreciation for Kuwait's support for China on the Taiwan and human rights issues, and China's bid for the 2008 Olympic Games.?

Li said China spoke positively of the efforts of Kuwait, which is currently holding the rotating presidency of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, to push forward the bilateral cooperation. 

Muhammad appreciated China's successful holding of the third foreign ministers' meeting of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue on June 21 and 22 in Qingdao, a coastal city in east China's Shandong Province.

He emphasized the importance of their current China tour, noting that it is the first leg of the first official visit of Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah since he took office in 2003.

Muhammad said Kuwait is ready to further develop the friendly cooperative relations with China in various fields.

Muhammad is visiting China with Sheikh Sabah. During their eight-day official visit to China, Sheikh Sabah will have talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Wu Bangguo. Sheikh Sabah and his delegation will also visit Shanghai in east China.

(Xinhua News Agency July 6, 2004)