Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk agreed to step up China-Poland partnership of friendship and cooperation in their talks in Beijing on Thursday.

"China and Poland should view and develop their relationship from a strategic and long-term point of view," Wen told Tusk.

He said the two countries should respect their own development roads and properly handle sensitive issues.

He urged more cooperation on infrastructure, environmental protection, mining, exploration of new cooperation fields, and promotion of the realization of more balanced bilateral trade.

He also called for continuous efforts to promote exchanges in cultural and educational fields and people-to-people contacts.

Tusk said Poland is ready to closely cooperate with China to promote the bilateral partnership of friendship and cooperation.

2009 will be the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Poland. Wen said he hoped the two sides will take this occasion to share development opportunities and jointly respond to challenges.

Tusk said Poland and China have respected and supported each other in the past.

Tusk arrived in Shanghai on Tuesday night, starting his five-day visit to China. He left Shanghai for Beijing on Wednesday night to attend the seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Beijing October 24-25.

(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2008)