Uruguay's President Tabare Vazquez met Chinese newly-appointed ambassador to Uruguay in Montevideo on Thursday and said his government highly valued Uruguay-China relations.

The Uruguay government has attached great importance to the friendly relations with China, Vazquez told Li Zhongliang, who arrived in Uruguay on Nov. 28.

During the meeting, the president also expressed his wishes to visit China.

Uruguay-China relations had a solid foundation, Li said, adding he would make his own efforts in enhancing bilateral ties, while presenting his credentials to the president.

On Dec. 4, Li presented the duplicate of his credentials to Uruguay's foreign minister Reinaldo Cargano and expressed China's appreciation of Uruguay's long-time adherence to the one China policy

China and Uruguay established diplomatic ties on Feb. 3, 1988.

(Xinhua News Agency December 14, 2007)