Top Chinese legislator Li Peng met in Beijing on Friday with a delegation from Chile's Socialist Party, headed by its President Camilo Escalona.
Li, a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said Chile was the first country in South America to establish diplomatic relations with China and bilateral friendly cooperative ties had since grown steadily.
Li thanked Chile for its understanding and support over China's entry into the World Trade Organization, and over the human rights and Taiwan issues. He hoped to further encourage the bilateral partnership on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence.
He also praised the friendly cooperation between the Communist Party of China and the Socialist Party of Chile.
Improving party-to-party ties not only helped each party develop, but also benefited the mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries and peoples, thus boosting the sustained and healthy growth of their relationship, Li pointed out.
Li also briefed the guests on the background and success of China's reforms and opening-up. He stressed that the CPC would strengthen party building and focus on the relations among reform, development and stability, with the aim of boosting reform, opening-up and the socialist cause China-style.
Escalona said his party and the Chilean people were struck by China's reforms and opening up process, and appreciated China's remarkable achievements in this regard.
The Chile delegation is in China at the invitation of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.
(Xinhua News Agency May 25, 2002)
