Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met in Shanghai Tuesday with foreign ministers from four south Asian countries attending the 60th session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

The foreign guests were Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Laos Somsavat Lengsavad, Foreign Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Dy Nien, Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Lakshman Kadirgamar and Foreign Minister of Bhutan Khandu Wangchuk.

In a meeting with Somsavat, Li said China and Laos maintain sound coordination in international and regional affairs, with frequent high-level exchanges between the two sides.

China is willing to promote close cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, and will provide support for Laos, the next ASEAN rotating presidency country, to hold ASEAN plus one and ASEAN plus three meetings, Li said.

In a meeting with Nguyen Dy Nien, Li said China and Vietnam have maintained good relations and expanded cooperation in trade and economic fields.

The border dispute left over from history between China and Vietnam has been resolved gradually, and the two sides have finished the negotiations on the agreement on fishery cooperation in Beibu Bay, and the agreements on Beibu Bay border demarcation and on fishery cooperation are expected to become effective by the end of June.

In a meeting with Kadirgamar, Li said China is willing to build good neighborly friendship with Sri Lanka and other neighbors.

During the meetings, all foreign guests said their countries adhere to the one-China policy, and are willing to push forward the friendly and cooperative relations with China.

(Xinhua News Agency April 28, 2004)