Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in Beijing Friday that good political relations between China and Guyana had strongly advanced bilateral cooperation.

China would continue to provide assistance within its own capability to assist the economic and social development of Guyana, Wen told visiting Guyanan President Bharrat Jagdeo.

The Chinese government would actively encourage Chinese enterprises to explore new areas of trade and economic cooperation in Guyana, said Wen, hoping Guyana would offer more information and favorable policies in this respect.

Wen and Jagdeo reviewed the history of mutual support and assistance of the two countries in political terms over the past decades. They praised the mutually beneficial cooperation in trade and economy in recent years, expressing the willingness to make further efforts to achieve greater and faster growth in bilateral relations.

After exchanging views on regional and international issues with the guests, Wen said China appreciated Guyana's independent foreign policy of non-alliance and its active role in regional affairs. Wen hoped Guyana would use its influence to help China expand relations with countries in the Caribbean region.

Jagdeo said Guyana was ready to further expand cooperation with China in all fields on the basis of the existing friendly bilateral relations.

Noting that the global situation was uncertain and developing countries were universally concerned about the future, Jagdeo said he was pleased to see China's clear position on calling for developed countries to pay more attention to the interests of developing countries and urging developing countries to strengthen cooperation among themselves.

(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2003)