Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong met in Beijing Monday with former Slovenian President Milan Kucan.

Zeng praised Kucan for his important contribution to the relationship between China and Slovenia, saying that the former president was a founder of the bilateral relations.

Since the establishment of the bilateral ties 11 years ago, Zeng said, the two sides have smoothly developed their friendship, featured by increasingly enhanced political trust, expanding trade and economic partnership and mutual support for each other in the United Nations and other international organizations.

Zeng said that every country should resolve disputes through dialogue and consultation. The UN as well as other international mechanisms could be employed for dispute settlement and multinational cooperation.

He said he hopes the UN and others would play ever larger roles in the future.

Zeng also briefed Kucan on China's domestic political, economic and social situation.

Kucan said that his country admired China's great achievements in economic reform.

As an influential country, he said, China is playing significant roles in regional and international affairs.

He said that Slovenia expects more friendly cooperation with China.

(Xinhua News Agency December 2, 2003)