SAN MARINO, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu Friday met with two heads of San Marino to discuss bilateral ties.

    Hui conveyed Chinese President Hu Jintao's amiable greetings to Captain Regent Alessandro Mancini and Captain Regent Alessandro Rossi.

    He said the two countries have established profound friendship on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit since China and San Marino forged diplomatic relations 36 years ago.

    Hui added that in recent years, the two sides have broadened cooperation in economic and trade fields. The two nations will sign a trade and economic cooperation agreement, which further promotes the healthy development of economic and trade relations between China and San Marino.

    Hui said China attaches great importance to its ties with San Marino and is willing to strengthen exchanges, to enhance cooperation in trade, economy, tourism and international affairs and to push China-San Marino friendly cooperation to a high level.

    Mancini and Rossi said San Marino and China have maintained good relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties. The two sides have conducted fruitful cooperation in trade, economy, culture, tourism and sport.

    The two leaders of San Marino said their country is willing to strengthen exchanges, broaden common recognition, deepen cooperation in bilateral and international issues on the basis of friendship, respect and understanding.

    The San Marino leaders hoped to take advantage of the opportunity of signing the agreement in a bid to extend mutually beneficial cooperation in trade and economy.

    After the meeting, Hui attended the signing ceremony of a bilateral trade and economic cooperation treaty, under which San Marino recognizes China as a full market economy.

    Hui stopped by San Marino at the invitation of the San Marino government after his four-nation Europe trip, which has taken him to the Netherlands, Ukraine, Romania and Serbia.