The relations between China and Chile are at their best in history and Beijing will work with Santiago to push the bilateral ties to new highs, Chinese President Hu Jintao said in Bangkok Saturday.

"The Chinese government attaches great importance to developing friendly relations with Chile, and is willing to work together with Chile to advance the two countries' long-lasting and stable relations based on mutual benefit to a new level," Hu said at a meeting with his Chilean counterpart, Ricardo Lagos Escobar.

Both Hu and Lagos will attend the 11th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economic leaders' meeting scheduled for Monday and Tuesday in the Thai capital.

Hu noted that Chile was the first South American country to establish full diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China 33 years ago and since then, the two countries have witnessed the constant deepening of their mutual political trust, ever wider economic and trade cooperation and increased exchanges in the fields of science and technology, culture and education.

The two countries are also maintaining excellent cooperation at the United Nations, APEC and other international and regional organizations, he said.

"The further strengthening of Sino-Chilean friendship and cooperation not only conforms to the fundamental interests of the peoples of the two countries, it is also conducive to promoting peace, stability and development in the Asia-Pacific region and across the world at large," Hu said.

Lagos, on his part, said China is having ever greater influence and playing greater role in international affairs, especially in the global trading system, and Chile will further strengthen its cooperation with China in politics, economy and trade, science and technology, culture and other areas.

He said Santiago will maintain its one-China policy and strengthen coordination with China on various occasions so as to advance the establishment of a just and reasonable international political and economic order.

The two leaders agreed that APEC, as an important forum for economic cooperation in the region, should play a positive role in pushing forward the world's multilateral trading system, and seek a balanced reflection of the concerns of the developing countries.

Chile will be hosting next year's APEC meetings, including the 12th economic leaders' meeting. Hu said China will support Chile's efforts in making the APEC events a success.

(Xinhua News Agency October 19, 2003)