During a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Barlesconi on the sidelines of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), Zhu said China and Italy have shared identical viewpoints and common interests on a number of international issues.

China is ready to continue tapping huge potentials in the bilateral cooperation and further the relations to a higher level, he said.

The Chinese premier gave the favorable political ties between the two countries and frequent exchanges of government officials' visits as supporting examples, saying that he is pleased with the good momentum of the development of Sino-Italian ties.

Trade between the two countries saw a historical record last year, he said, adding that Italian firms have expanded their presence in China.

Also, the cooperation of small and medium-sized enterprises between the two countries has increased rapidly, Zhu said.

He said the two countries have in recent years enhanced exchanges in various fields including science, education and culture.

China and Italy have also made considerable headway in the cooperation of environmental protection, Zhu said, citing the Sino-Italian environmental project, launched during the Johannesburg Earth Summit, as a specific showcase of the partnership between the two countries.

The Chinese premier is on a working visit to South Africa and attending the WSSD final session of heads of state and government.

South Africa is the last leg of Zhu's ongoing four-nation Africa tour, which has already taken him to Algeria, Morocco and Cameroon.

The 10-day world summit is expected to focus on building a commitment at the highest levels of government and society to better implement the Agenda 21, adopted 10 years ago in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as the road map for achieving sustainable development.

For his part, Barlesconi said he agreed to Zhu's appraisal of the bilateral ties.

He spoke highly of China's achievements made since China initiated a reform and opening-up policy more than two decades ago, saying that his government will continue promoting the cooperation between the two countries' companies.

(Xinhua News Agency September 3, 2002)