Zhu told Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase, who arrived in Beijing Wednesday on a four-day working visit, that China-Romania relations, established on the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, were full of vitality and had become an "example for relations between China and eastern and central European nations."

Zhu said that the Chinese government attached great importance to developing its relations with Romania. Over the past few years, the volume of bilateral trade has increased, but remained unbalanced.

In order to further bilateral economic cooperation and trade, Zhu put forward the four-point proposal, namely the two sides should explore new ways of cooperation and expand cooperation under the market economic system; give full play to the role of relevant departments of the two countries and their mixed committees on trade and economic cooperation; encourage enterprises to conduct direct cooperation; and offer better information on cooperation between enterprises.

China would, no matter how the international situation changed, continue to work with Romania to push forward bilateral relations, Zhu stressed.

Nastase said he agreed with Zhu's comments on developing bilateral relations. He said the Romanian government made its relationship with China a priority in its foreign relations.

The Romanian prime minister said his visit was intended to push forward bilateral relations with China, and cooperation in economic field in particular.

The prime minister said there was a great potential in bilateral economic cooperation and trade. He stressed the Romanian side would work with China to raise the level of economic cooperation and trade to the same level as political ties.

Nastase also expressed sympathy over the flooding in China.

After the talks, Zhu and Nastase attended a ceremony for the signing of five documents on education cooperation between the two countries.

(Xinhua News Agency June 28, 2002)