On the afternoon of March 21, 2002, Premier Zhu Rongji met with Ecuadorian President Gustavo Novoa at the Great Hall of the People.

Zhu said that yesterday's talks between President Jiang Zemin and President Novoa went on well. During the talks the two sides exchanged opinions in depth and achieved extensive concert on issues concerning bilateral relations and other international issues and consigned related agreements on bilateral cooperation.Zhu noted that the current visit by President Novoa has borne fruitful results, increased mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries and will have a profound influence on the development of Sino-Ecuadorian relations.

Bejarano said that the Sino-Ecuadorian relationship is going on well and the Ecuadorian side hopes to further cooperate with China in political, economic, cultural and academic fields. He went on to say that Ecuadorian government advocates the process of the South-American integration with a strategic view of pushing forward the multi-polarization and enhancing the South-South cooperation. Ecuador is cooperating with its neighboring countries in the development of the areas along the Amazon River while developing the domestic economy. He hoped that China will participate in the process.

With regard to the trade and economic cooperation, zhu said that China attaches great importance to the economic relations with the developing countries and support the South-South cooperation. Noting that trade and economic cooperation between China and Ecuador had seen remarkable growth over the past few years, Zhu said that China is willing to reinforce the trade and economic cooperation with Ecuador and that the two countries have great potential in the economic fields. Zhu also said China has rich experience in the development of infrastructures and is fully capable of contracting construction projects in Ecuador. China is willing to cooperate with Ecuador in the construction of roads and electricity facilities.