The Embassy of the Republic of the Congo in China held a reception in Beijing Friday to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.  

China's Assistant Foreign Minister Lu Guozeng said the bilateral relations between the two countries have developed smoothly since the forging of diplomatic ties 40 years ago.

He said the two sides have conducted fruitful friendly cooperation in the fields of politics, economy, trade and culture. In 2003, the bilateral trade volume reached US$870 million, which is four times the figure for 2002.

Lu said the two countries will regard the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties as a new starting point, and make efforts to promote the bilateral cooperative relations to a new high in the future.

(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2004)