Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan arrived in Doha on June 14 to kick off a visit to Qatar, the last leg of his four-nation tour.

During the visit, Zeng will also attend the second summit of the Group of 77 (G77) plus China, known as the second South Summit.

"I'm very glad to represent (Chinese) President Hu Jintao at the second South Summit and pay a visit to friendly Qatar," Zeng said in a speech.

He said he is willing to take this opportunity to convey "cordial greetings and best wishes" of the Chinese government and people to their Qatari counterparts.

Thanks to the efforts of leaders of both sides, friendly ties of cooperation between the two countries have been strengthening and improving since they established diplomatic relations, the vice premier noted.

Zeng said China and Qatar have maintained good cooperation in international affairs, adding that the Chinese government has attached importance to the development of its cooperation with Qatar in various fields.

China is willing to further advance Sino-Qatari relations on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, he said.

The vice premier said he is looking forward to his meeting with Qatari leaders aimed at seeking new ways to expand bilateral cooperation and exchanging views of common concern.

He believed that his visit will help promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries and push forward their relations of cooperation to a new high.

Before Qatar, Zeng visited Russia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

Source: Xinhua