Chongqing Municipality Party chief Bo Xilai on Saturday called for greater cooperation between the city and the World Bank.

Bo, secretary of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), made the remark while meeting with a visiting delegation led by World Bank President Robert Zoellick in Chongqing on Saturday.

Bo praised the World Bank's contribution to the development of Chongqing in the past decade.

"I hope Chongqing and the World Bank will further cooperation in personnel training, introduction of high-quality companies, energy conservation and environmental protection, and incorporated development of urban and rural areas of Chongqing," said Bo, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Chongqing Mayor Wang Hongju called for the establishment of a working group to discuss details of cooperation.

Zoellick said the World Bank was very much interested in innovative schemes by Chongqing for the incorporated development of urban and rural areas, and was willing to cooperate with Chongqing.

Bo, 58, was appointed secretary of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the CPC to replace Wang Yang, who was appointed secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee early this month. Bo retains his post as Minister of Commerce.

(Xinhua News Agency December 16, 2007)