Visiting Chinese President Jiang Zemin said that the legal exchanges between China and Uruguay increased steadily after the two countries forged diplomatic relations and China hoped to enhance such cooperation in the future.

Jiang made the remarks in his meeting with Uruguayan President of Supreme Court Milton Hugo Cairoli.

The Chinese president told Cairoli that Uruguay is an important country in South America and China values its relations with Uruguay. "In the area of legislative construction, you have lots of experiences that are worthy learning," he said.

Jiang said that China pays close attention to building its legal system and scored major progresses in this respect. China's legal system, with the Constitution as the foundation, has gradually improved and is governing the country's political, economic and government operations, he said.

"We will continue to strengthen democracy and legislation so as to ensure the smooth progress of the reform, opening-up and economic construction," he said.

Jiang also briefed Cairoli on China's socio-economic development and the 10th five-year plan for socio-economic development. He invited Cairoli to visit China at his convenient time.

Cairoli said that Uruguay has kept frequent exchanges with China and the president of the Uruguayan Supreme Court has visited China twice. He hoped such reciprocal exchanges to continue and increase in the future.

Jiang came to Uruguay for a state visit as guest of Uruguayan President Jorge Batlle.

(People's Daily 04/12/2001)