The friendly and cooperative relations between China and Bolivia have developed very smoothly, said Gu Xiulian, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC).

 

Gu made the remarks in Beijing today when meeting Bolivian minister of national defense, Walker San Miguel Rodriguez.

 

She said the bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields have advanced steadily since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 21 years ago.

 

Gu noted that although there's a great distance between China and Bolivia, the two peoples share deep traditional friendship.

 

Rodriguez praised the great development of the relationship between China and Bolivia, noting that he appreciated China's remarkable contribution to world peace.

 

Rodriguez was here for a seven-day official good-will visit as guest of his Chinese counterpart Cao Gangchuan.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2006)