COMPTON

CASTRIES, St. Lucia (CMC):

The People's Republic of China Friday said that it was pleased with the announcement from the new Government of Prime Minister Sir John Compton that it intended to maintain diplomatic relations with the communist country.

Chinese Ambassador to St. Lucia, Gu Huaming, said, "We are extremely happy with the statement made by Sir John Compton that the new administration will not sever diplomatic relations with China in favour of a return to Taiwan," Huaming said.