ON DECEMBER 15, 2008, CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER YANG JIECHI MET WITH VISITING PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD BANK ROBERT ZOELLICK, EXCHANGING VIEWS ON CHINA'S COOPERATION WITH THE WORLD BANK, THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CRISIS AND OTHER ISSUES.

YANG SAID THAT CHINA HAS BEEN ACTIVELY SUPPORTING THE IMPORTANT ROLE PLAYED BY THE WORLD BANK IN THE FIELD OF INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY AND DEVELOPMENT. CHINA IS READY TO WORK WITH THE WORLD BANK TO PUSH BILATERAL COOPERATION TO A NEW LEVEL. YANG URGED ALL COUNTRIES TO JOIN HANDS TO COPE WITH THE ONGOING FINANCIAL CRISIS, ESPECIALLY TO PREVENT THE CRISIS FROM AFFECTING INPUT INTO THE DEVELOPMENT ISSUE.

ZOELLICK SAID THE WORLD BANK ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO CHINA'S ROLE AND INFLUENCE AND IS READY TO FURTHER COOPERATIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH CHINA. HE PLEDGED TO ENHANCE COMMUNICATION AND COOPERATION WITH THE CHINESE SIDE ON ISSUES INCLUDING HOW TO COPE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CRISIS AND THE G20 SUMMIT ON FINANCIAL MARKETS AND THE WORLD ECONOMY.