Premier urges closer ties with Ireland
( 2002-01-24 11:33 ) (3 )

China would like more people from Ireland to visit China to enhance mutual understanding and bilateral cooperation, Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said in Beijing Wednesday.

Zhu made the remarks during his meeting with Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen.

Zhu said he was pleased to see that the consensus and ideas agreed by the two countries during his previous Irish tour have been gradually implemented. He hoped the two sides would enhance mutual understanding and promote mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields.

Cowen said that Ireland and China have made progress since the heads of government of the two countries paid reciprocal visits. He said that Ireland attached high importance to its ties with China and hoped to further expand exchanges and cooperation with China, in particular in trade and economic relations.

Cowen arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a four-day official visit as the guest of Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan.