Chinese Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai said in Beijing Wednesday that China will further strengthen economic ties with neighboring countries and regions. 

Bo made the remarks while meeting with guests from Pakistan, India, Japan and Hong Kong.

The minister told Pakistan ambassador to China Riaz Mohammad Khan that bilateral trade witnessed a 35 percent annual growth to reach US$2.5 billion last year, which is "encouraging" and he hopes the two countries see more progress in economic and trade cooperation.

To enhance economic cooperation with China is Pakistan's "priority" and that is "good for us and good for the region", said Riaz.

The ambassador noted that about 60 Chinese enterprises have set up branches in Pakistan and been doing business in railway, dam-building and other infrastructure construction.

China and Pakistan could further cooperate in agriculture, mine, railway and water-control projects, Riaz said.

Bo told Indian ambassador Nalin Surie that Sino-Indian economic and trade cooperation had developed very quickly. The bilateral trade volume surged from US$5 billion in 2002 to US$7.5 billion last year.

Bo predicted that Sino-Indian trade could hit US$10 billion this year.

On agricultural issue, the minister said, "China would enhance communication with India and other sides within the framework of the World Trade Organization."

The Indian ambassador has a more ambitious goal, saying bilateral trade could hit US$20 billion by the end of this decade. He also noticed that India would diversify its exports to China, trying to sell more agricultural and handicrafts.

Bo also met guests from the Marubeni Cooperation of Japan and Kerry Holdings Limited of Hong Kong. 

(Xinhua News Agency March 11, 2004)