Chile's president-elect Michele Bachelet met in Santiago Friday with the special envoy of the Chinese government, Du Qinglin.

The outgoing president, Ricardo Lagos Escobar, also met with the Chinese envoy earlier on Thursday.

China's development was closely related to that of Chile's, and the relationship between the two countries was considered to be one of Chile's most important in terms of foreign relations, the Chilean leaders told Du, who is also Chinese minister of agriculture.

They said that bilateral cooperation in international affairs was also important, expressing their belief that Sino-Chilean ties would make great progress in the future.

During their talks with Du, the Chilean leaders emphasized their position that Chile would consistently adhere to the one-China policy.

Du came here to attend the presidential inauguration ceremony at the invitation of the Chilean government.

The ceremony is scheduled to be held at the National Congress building in the country's second largest city, Valparaiso, on March 11, where Bachelet will be sworn in as the country's first twoman president.

Source: Xinhua