Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), met in Beijing Monday with a Uruguayan delegation led by Gustavo Penades, president of the Chamber of Deputies.
Li said that he was still impressed with his tour to Uruguay in November 2001.
As two developing countries, China and Uruguay have wide common interests, Li said, and the two countries have a solid basis for developing bilateral friendship.
Since the establishment of their diplomatic relations in 1988, the two countries have enhanced their friendship by concerted efforts, Li said.
The two sides should support with each other in international affairs, Li said.
China thanked Uruguay for supporting China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), Li said.
He said that both sides should cooperate more with international organizations such as the United Nations and the WTO.
Li said that the Chinese NPC and the Uruguayan parliament should enhance bilateral relations and help the two nations increase mutual understanding and friendship.
Penades said that Uruguay admires the Chinese people's achievements in economic development and their advancement in science and technology.
Uruguay supports the idea of multi-polarization and the building of a fair international political and economic order, he said.
He also said that he hopes the two sides can increase trade and economic cooperation in the future.
(Xinhua News Agency February 4, 2002)
