Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held meetings with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez in New York Wednesday to discuss bilateral relations.

In the meeting with Suleiman, Wen said China supports Lebanon’s efforts for defending national sovereignty and territory integrity, promoting national reconciliation and developing good-neighborly relations. He said China will continue to provide affordable economic aid to Lebanon.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman during their meeting in New York, the United States, September 24, 2008. [Yao Dawei/Xinhua]

"We would like to strengthen high level exchange with Lebanon, conduct friendly exchange and cooperation in various forms, and improve mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries," he said.

China, along with the international community, will make continued efforts to realize just and rational peace in the Middle East, he added.

Also speaking at the meeting, Suleiman appreciated China's active participation in the United Nations peacekeeping and mine sweeping missions in southern Lebanon, and the country's support for restoring Arab countries' legitimate rights and interests.

Lebanon wishes to strengthen friendly relations with China and hopes to develop new cooperation with China in the fields of trade and tourism, he said.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe during their meeting in New York, the United States, September 24, 2008. [Yao Dawei/Xinhua]?

When meeting with Uribe, Wen said Sino-Colombian ties are in good momentum of development. Colombia is an important partner of China in Latin America and China would like to expand economic and trade cooperation with Colombia on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, enrich cultural and social exchange with Colombia, and develop closer ties with Colombia in international issues.

Uribe said Colombia attaches importance to the development of relations with China, and that Colombia appreciates China's support to Colombia in international and regional affairs. He said that Colombia wishes to strengthen cooperation with China in such fields as economy, trade and investment.

The Chinese premier met Suleiman and Uribe?in New York before attending a high-level UN meeting for the Millennium Development Goals scheduled for Thursday.

(Xinhua News Agency September 26, 2008)