On October 18 2004, Assistant Foreign Minister Shen Guofang met with the visiting World Bank Vice President Kassum and the two sides exchanged views on cooperation between China and the World Bank.

Shen made active remarks on the cooperation between the two sides and thanked the World Bank for its contributions in supporting the economic and social development of China. He also noted China's willingness to further enhance the cooperation with the World Bank to promote the regional development together.

Kassum said that the World Bank has kept long term close cooperation and the role of equal partner with China in the past 25 years. The World Bank also got fruitful benefit while providing economic and technological assistance to China. The two sides should enhance cooperation and explore new fields of cooperation.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues as the cooperation in North-east Asia and the Great Meikong River sub-regional cooperation.