Visiting Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Monacan leaders on Monday expressed their desire to further Sino-Monacan cooperation.

 

In his meeting with Prince Albert II of Monaco, Li emphasized the promising collaboration already occurring, pointing out that the two sides have shown encouraging progress in the fields of politics, economics and trade, and culture and tourism.

 

The decision by the two sides to upgrade their diplomatic relations to ambassadorial-level will further promote the bilateral ties, said Li.

 

Li briefed Prince Albert II about China's preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, expressing the hope that Monaco will continue to support the two events.

 

Albert II said he is satisfied with the growing friendship and cooperation between Monaco and China, and hoped the two countries can expand personnel and cultural exchanges in the future.

 

In a separate meeting with Monaco's Minister of State Jean-Paul Proust, Li observed that Monaco has strategic edges in finance, insurance, tourism and architecture, while China enjoys enormous market potential and a rapidly growing economy.

 

The two countries have good potential for further cooperation, Li said, welcoming Monacan enterprises to invest in China.

 

Proust, on his part, voiced his hope that the two countries could deepen their relationship and seek new ways to cooperate, and strengthen economic, cultural and tourism exchanges.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 7, 2006)