Premier Wen Jiabao said Thursday that he hoped China and Estonia would tighten economic ties through pragmatic cooperation.

Wen told visiting Estonian President Arnold Ruutel that China and Estonia have always been friendly to each other despite the fact that they are far apart geographically.

He said China and Estonia cherish the bilateral friendly cooperation and are devoted to pushing it forward.

Wen also expressed his hope that the two countries will improve political exchanges and enhance coordination in international affairs to further promote bilateral ties.

Ruutel said the two countries have improved their ties over the past years and the two have made significant achievements in economic, cultural and educational cooperation.

He said he hopes the two nations will further exchanges in the fields of electronics, telecommunications, biotechnology and transportation.

Ruutel started his five-day state visit to China on Wednesday from Shanghai. He will also head to Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

(Xinhua News Agency August 26, 2005)