Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met in Beijing Sunday afternoon with Vanuatuan Prime Minister Vanuaroroa Ham Lini, who attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on Friday night.

Wen said recent years had seen frequent contacts between the two countries' leaders, which helped consolidate the bilateral ties.

China was willing to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, continue to provide economic and technological aid to Vanuatu, and conduct cooperation to benefit the two peoples, he said.

Lini said China was an important development partner for Vanuatu, and China's aid had benefited the Vanuatuan people.

Vanuatu cherished its friendship with China and was willing to further the two sides' exchanges and cooperation, he said.

(Xinhau News Agency August 11, 2008)