Jiang made the remarks Monday when meeting visiting Uruguayan President Jorge Batlle, adding that as two developing countries China and Uruguay are faced with the same task of safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

It is in the basic interests of the two peoples to enhance bilateral cooperation, Jiang said.

Batlle arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a six-day state visit to China.

Besides Beijing, Batlle will also visit Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province and Shanghai, a leading port in China.

Jiang said that bilateral trade has developed smoothly and China has been a major trade partner with Uruguay, noting that China holds an active attitude towards enhancing trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

China has become one of Uruguay's major trading partners and its biggest buyer of wool. The two sides have also conducted sound explorations in the area of economic cooperation with preliminary results.

Jiang said that he hopes entrepreneurs will increase contacts to expand channels of trade and economic cooperation.

Jiang also thanked Uruguay for its adherence to the one-China policy.

Batlle said that Uruguay attaches importance to the development of its relations with China. Uruguay also supports China's position on human rights.

(China Daily October 15, 2002 )