Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Monday China is ready to enhance cooperation with Tonga in all areas and bring the bilateral ties to a new level.

During his talks with visiting Tongan King Taufa'ahau Tupou V, Wen said Chinese enterprises are encouraged to invest in and provide technical assistance to Tonga.

China expects the two countries to jointly explore new cooperation areas and means, increase trade exchanges to achieve mutually beneficial and win-win results.

Wen also urged the relevant departments from both countries to make full use of assistance and preferential loans offered by China, so as to make contributions to Tongan economic revival.

King Tupou V said his country values sound relations with China based on mutual respect, and expressed satisfaction with the bilateral cooperation in economy and politics.

King Tupou V also expressed gratitude for China's assistance, saying Tonga is willing to deepen cooperation with China in all fields.

Tonga firmly adheres to the one-China policy, he added, voicing hope to see China play a bigger role in international affairs.

King Tupou V arrived in Beijing Sunday following his attendance in the year's annual meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) held in Sanya, a scenic city in south China's Hainan Province.

(Xinhua News Agency April 15, 2008)