Chinese Vice Premier Wen Jiabao met with President of the World Bank Group James D. Wolfensohn at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing Sunday.

Wolfensohn was here to attend the APEC Finance and Development Program (AFDP) 2002 Annual Forum held at the Diaoyutai State Guest House Sunday.

Wen said China and the World Bank have had fruitful cooperation, and China's economic development has benefited a lot from World Bank loans. "China is ready to further strengthen cooperation with the World Bank," he said.

Wen said, the forum, co-sponsored by the Chinese government and the World Bank, is of great significance and such forum will promote the capacity building in the financial sector in the Asia-Pacific region.

Wen said he hoped that the AFDP will be a great success thanks to the efforts of China and the World Bank, as well as the assistance from all APEC members.

Wolfensohn spoke highly of China's progress in development and hoped to expand cooperation with China in all areas and tap new ways for expanding cooperation. The AFDP forum, he said, set a good beginning for the two sides to further cooperation in the future.

(Xinhua News Agency May 26, 2002)