King Mohammed confers with senior Chinese officials

Morocco's King Mohammed VI, who started Tuesday a state visit to China, conferred Wednesday in Peking with several senior Chinese officials.

The sovereign thus conferred with chairman of the national committee of the Chinese People's political consultative conference, Li Ruihuan, the chairman of the standing committee of the People's National Assembly, Li Peng.

King Mohammed VI also conferred with Chinese Premier, Zhu Rongji, and received Chinese minister of defense, Chi Haotian.

The Chinese officials were accompanied by their close aides.

Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, attended the talks.

Tuesday afternoon, King Mohammed VI held a first round of talks with President Jiang Zemin of China, after he was welcomed at an official ceremony at the People's Great Palace in Peking, and later on co-chaired with the Chinese President the signing ceremony of five new cooperation covenants between the two countries.