Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao advocated increased ties between China and Ireland in Beijing on January 18.

"China and Ireland share many referential experience in economic and social development and it's of great potential to further expand and deepen bilateral cooperation," Wen said.

Wen made the remarks when meeting with Bertie Ahern, Prime Minister of Ireland in the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing.

"China is satisfied with the positive progress of bilateral ties with Ireland," Wen said, noting the two countries' relations witnessed new development since his last visit to Ireland in 2004.

The two countries' political exchanges and coordination in the United Nations and the Asia-Europe Meeting were much more frequent, he acknowledged.

China and Ireland share a "more fruitful" economic and trade cooperation, he said. They have hosted cultural festivals for each other and signed agreements on tourism and sanitation cooperation.

"China will, with the joint efforts from Ireland, further promote bilateral ties," Wen said.

The Chinese premier said he hoped the two countries would maintain high-level contact, tighten exchange between the governments, parliaments and common people to enhance mutual-understanding.

He urged the two countries to promote cooperation in economy and trade, science and technology, as well as to expand cooperation in information industry, software, bio-technology, agriculture and stock raising.

Moreover, Wen proposed that the two sides deepen cooperation in education, culture, healthcare and tourism, such as to jointly educate high-level talents.

Ahern fully endorsed Wen's remarks and suggestions on bilateral ties, saying that he has instituted an Asia strategy focus on China after his last visit to China in 1998, which strongly pushed forward bilateral ties and substantial cooperation with China.

During this visit, Ireland will cooperate with China to lay out the long-term cooperation with the country and draw the next blueprint for the Asia strategy, he said.

Ireland is convinced that the two countries can expand cooperation in investment, trade, agriculture, culture, education, healthcare and tourism, he said.

After their meeting, the two prime ministers witnessed the signing of four bilateral cooperation agreements.

Ahern was here for a six-day official visit to China from Jan. 17 to 22 at the invitation of Premier Wen.

Source: Xinhua