Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with former US President George W. Bush and former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on Saturday in south China's Hainan Province.

Wen spoke highly of Bush's contribution to the development of Sino-US constructive and cooperative ties. He hoped Bush would continue to play a positive role in promoting bilateral relations.

Wen said that since President Obama took office, Sino-US tieshave got to a good start. The two nations have dedicated to building a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship inthe 21st century.

The spreading global financial crisis and the growing global challenges demand the two nations increase mutual trust, enhance coordination, jointly overcome the current difficulties and benefit the two countries and people of the world, said Wen.

"We hope the US economy will take a favourable turn as soon as possible, which is conducive to the world economy," he added.

Bush said it is uplifting to see the Sino-US ties improving. Both China and the United States are major nations in the world and should keep close communication and cooperation.

He said he would continue to contribute to the development of Sino-US ties.

The policies and measures that the Chinese government has takento cope with the financial crisis have already yielded results andare very impressive, said Bush.

The continuous growth of economies of both countries are crucial to the recovery of the world economy, he said, stressing the two countries should strengthen cooperation in resisting the impact of the financial crisis.

During the meeting with Fukuda, Wen appreciated the former Japanese Prime Minister's contribution to improving and developingChina-Japan friendly relations.

Wen said China-Japan ties maintain sound in general. The two countries should proceed from the long-term perspective of bilateral ties, increase political mutual trust, deepen mutual understanding between the two peoples and safeguard the general interests of Sino-Japanese strategic reciprocal relations.

He said the global financial crisis is not just a challenge for Asia, but also an important opportunity for speeding up regional cooperation.

He also called on the two countries to proceed from the overall interests of Asia and the long-term development of bilateral ties to enhance coordination and all-around cooperation, so as to jointly push forward regional economic and financial cooperation and make greater contribution to the revitalization of Asia and the construction of East Asia community.

To continuously enhance the friendship between the two peoples is of great importance to the long-term development of bilateral ties, said Fukuda, adding that he would spare no effort to promotefriendly cooperation between the two nations in the future.

Fukuda also said China plays a key role in withstanding the global financial crisis.

Bush and Fukuda were here to attend the 2009 annual meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) from April 17 to 19.

(Xinhua News Agency April 19, 2009)