Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu met in Beijing Thursday with Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural Development Addisu Leggese.

Hui said in the past quarter century, China kept rapid economic growth, increased its national strength and enriched its people.

He said agriculture is the basis for the national economy as well as state stability.

The Chinese government always attaches great importance to agriculture, rural areas and rural population, he said.

The government is also determined to develop modern agriculture, expand the rural economy, help increase the income of rural people and build a comprehensive well-off society in rural China, Hui said.

He said China and Ethiopia have well cooperated with each other in agricultural exchange.

He said he hopes the two sides would further expand the cooperation in the field.

Leggese said his country could learn from China's experience in developing the national economy.

He said he believes the bilateral agricultural exchange and cooperation would push forward the overall relationship of the two countries.

(Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2004)