China and Bhutan the 19th round of border talks in Bhutan held from Jan. 11 to 13 . Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyue held talks with head of Bhutan's delegation, Minister of Economic Affairs Khandu Wangchuk in a friendly and frank atmosphere. Hu also met with the 4th King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuk and Prime Minister Jigme Thinley during his stay in Bhutan.

Hu delivered the new year greetings of Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao to Bhutan's leaders. He said China highly cherishes its traditional friendship with Bhutan, and is willing to increase friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation and push forward friendly relationship of good neighborliness with Bhutan in a continuous, stable and healthy way on the basis of Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. Hu said China hopes the two sides continue friendly consultations on the basis of the past talks, and seek a just and reasonable solution acceptable to both sides, in order to turn China-Bhutan border into a bridge of friendship.

The Bhutanese leaders said Bhutan highly evaluates the tremendous achievements China has made in its development, and said Bhutan attaches great importance to its relationship with China and is dedicated to solving the border issue with China as soon as possible. The Bhutanese government is firmly committed to the one-China policy and is willing to work with China to push forward exchanges and cooperation in all fields.