As a new member of the European Union, Poland will actively participate in efforts to build a relationship of all-round strategic partnership between the EU and China, Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski said in Warsaw Tuesday.

Kwasniewski made the remark after holding a one-hour meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao. He called the visit of Hu, the first Chinese head of state to visit Poland since the two countries established diplomatic ties 55 years ago, a "historic" one.

He said the visit will benefit both sides, and will enhance bilateral cooperation in different fields as well as world security and peace at large.

Following their talks, the two presidents signed a joint statement, pledging to work for a "friendly and cooperative partnership" between the two countries.

The Polish president said his country admired China for its economic miracle over the past years, adding that China has been playing an increasingly important role in world political and economic affairs.

For his part, Hu made a four-point proposal on strengthening bilateral cooperation, which includes increasing exchanges of visits between parliament leaders, government officials, exploring new ways of economic cooperation and strengthening coordination on the international arena.

Also on Tuesday, the two countries signed a number of agreements, notably, on bilateral cooperation in copper development and purchasing.

Trade between China and Poland hit a record of US$1.98 billion last year, up 43.1 percent from a year ago, making Poland China's second largest trading partner in central and eastern Europe after Hungary.

Poland formally joined the EU on May 1 this year, and Hu is one of the first heads of state to visit the country since then.

The Chinese president is scheduled to leave for Hungary on Thursday to continue his four-nation trip. He will also visit Romania and Uzbekistan where he will attend a summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on June 17. 

(Xinhua News Agency June 9, 2004)