On the afternoon ofNovember 7, 2003, Premier Wen Jiabao met with Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic and Lesotho Foreign Minister Mohlabi Tsekoa at Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai.

Wen said that the Chinese government treasured its traditional friendship withSerbiaandMontenegro. He saidChinawas ready to push forward the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides. The two countries should take measures to deepen mutual understanding, explore new areas of cooperation, enrich the methods of cooperation and expand the scale of trade and economic cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples.

Zivkovic said the Serbian side highly appraised the important role thatChinaplayed in international and regional affairs. He said the Serbian side placed great importance on its cooperation withChinain various fields. He expressed the wish that the two sides would continue to tap the potentials of bilateral cooperation in the economic field so as to open up an new era of bilateral relations.

In a meeting with visiting Lesotho Foreign Minister Mohlabi Tsekoa, Wen reaffirmedChina's stance that countries, no matter large or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, were all equal members of the international community. All countries should support each other and be treated equally. He emphasized thatChinaattaches great importance to its friendship withLesothoand is willing to expand bilateral cooperation in various fields between the two sides.

Tsekoa said theLesothogovernment adhered to the One China policy, and was actively engaged in its comprehensive cooperation withChina. He spoke highly of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum for its vital role played in strengthening the China-Africa cooperation with mutual benefit.