Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Jamaica's Prime Minister Percival Noel James Patterson agreed in Beijing on June 20 to further improve economic and technological cooperation between the two states.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) shakes hands with visiting Jamaica's Prime Minister Percival Noel James Patterson during a welcome ceremony Wen hosts for Patterson in Beijing, capital of China, June 20, 2005.

The two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of an economic and technological cooperation agreement between the two governments after hour-long talks in Beijing.

The two sides also reached three other agreements covering cooperation on education and mining industry.

China and Jamaica set up diplomatic ties in 1972. In February this year, the two states announced a "friendly partnership of common development".

Wen said the agreement of establishing such a partnership demonstrates the two countries' strong desire to strengthen bilateral ties and also has laid down a solid political foundation for the development China-Jamaica relations.

"Jamaica has become China's most important trade partner in the English-speaking Caribbean areas," Wen said, adding that Jamaican government's recognition of China's full market economy has helped create favorable condition for bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

Wen also mentioned the China-Caribbean economic and trade cooperation forum, which was held early this year, has provided a new platform for China and Caribbean countries to further exchanges and cooperation.

The Chinese premier said the Chinese government highly values the relations with Jamaica and wants to maintain high-level visits and improve cooperation in trade, agriculture, fishery, mining, tourism and human resources development.

"Jamaica is a country with important influence in the Caribbean areas," Wen said, adding that China also wishes to further coordination and cooperation with Jamaica in international organizations including the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, Group of 77.

Wen also expressed China's appreciation for Jamaica's adherence to the one-China policy.

Patterson, who once visited China in 1998, said Jamaica-China relations have witnessed fast development since his last visit with frequent high-level visits and enhanced economic and trade cooperation.

He said the China-Caribbean economic and trade cooperation forum has helped push Jamaica-China ties and the relations between Caribbean states and China into a new stage.

Patterson also reiterated that the Jamaican government will continue to abide by the one-China principle.

He also expressed his government's will to intensify bilateral cooperation on trade, tourism, education, science and technology for common development.

He said Jamaica and China share similar opinions on many international and regional issues and the Jamaican government wants to improve cooperation with China in international organizations on multi-lateral issues.

During his three-leg tour from June 19 to 24, Patterson will also visit Shanghai and Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

He will also meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao and top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo.

Source: Xinhua