He said the two sides should expand economic and trade cooperation in various forms and through different channels.

Zhu made the remarks during his meeting with Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, who is paying a state visit to China.

Zhu expressed appreciation for the fruitful cooperation of both countries in the political, economic, cultural, scientific and technological fields over the past decade.

Zhu said the Chinese government would continue to improve mutually beneficial cooperation according to agreements reached between Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Mesic.

He expressed appreciation over Croatia's adherence to the "one China" policy and its support for the reunification of China.

Mesic said there were no obstacles to the expansion of all-round cooperation between the two countries. He said Croatia's policy of merging with Europe would not impact on its cooperation with China and other countries outside Europe.

He expressed the hope that Chinese businesses would regard Croatia as a gateway to the European market.

(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2002)