King Mohammed , President Zemin hold talks in Rabat

King Mohammed VI and President Jiang Zemin of China held in Rabat Thursday two rounds of talks.

King Mohammed VI, who was accompagnied by his brother, Prince Moulay Rachid, also co-chaired with Zemin the signing ceremony of several cooperation accords in economic and technical fields. The accords were initialled by Moroccan Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister Mohamed Benaissa and Chinese External Trade and Economic Cooperation Minister Shi Quangsheng.

Trade transactions between the two countries recorded a 130% increase over the past four years.

The Chinese president conferred on Thursday with Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoui, who termed the talks as "fruitful."

President Zemin also conferred with speakers of the house of representatives (lower chamber of parliament) and of the chamber of advisors (upper house), respectively Abdelouahed Radi and Mohammed Jalal Essaid.

Talks focused on means to upgrade Moroccan-Chinese economic and commercial cooperation and on issues of common concern.

President Zemin, who arrived Wednesday evening in Morocco, wound up the official visit on Thursday night following a dinner banquet hosted in his honor by King Mohammed VI. He will remain in Morocco until Saturday on a private stay.