Chinses Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with Denis Sassou-Nguesso, president of the Republic of the Congo, during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Sept. 27, 2005.

China and the Republic of Congo are complementary in economy and trade, and have a great potential for development, both Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and visiting Congolese President Denis Sassou-Nguesso agreed in Beijing Tuesday.

At a meeting with the Congolese president, Wen encouraged the Republic of Congo to take advantage of China's assistance and expand bilateral economic and technological cooperation and strengthen cooperation in agriculture, telecommunication and infrastructure.

Wen stressed the two sides should further open the market and promote imports, and implement the agreements on oil and mineral resources at an early date.

He said China and the Republic of Congo have politically supported each other over the past years, adding that China values relations with the Republic of Congo, and is ready to push forward bilateral ties.

On the Great Lakes situation, Wen said it tends to be positive now, adding that China supports the efforts of the African countries and international community to promote regional peace and cooperation, and would like to play its constructive role in this regard.

Sassou-Nguesso expressed gratitude for the long-term assistance by China, saying that he has reached consensus with China during his visit, and the Republic of Congo would like to promote economic and trade cooperation with China.

The two sides agreed that the China-Africa Cooperation Forum is an effective mechanism to enhance cooperation, and they will make concerted efforts to enable the forum to make more substantial progress.

Source: Xinhua