Visiting State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met on Monday with Serbian
President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica
respectively. Both sides vowed to promote all-round
cooperation.
Tang said China and Serbia have witnessed profound changes in
internal and international situations in recent years. Based on the
principle of mutual respect, full equality and non-interference in
each other's internal affairs, the two nations have made active
efforts to boost bilateral relations and cooperation in all fields,
and thus become reliable friends and important partners engaged in
mutually beneficial cooperation.
Tang said the Chinese government is keen to develop its ties
with Serbia and is willing to work with Serbia to promote bilateral
relations and cooperation to a new level.
China will continue to respect Serbia's sovereignty and
territorial integrity and support the effort to properly resolve
the Kosovo issue through negotiations in line with relevant UN
resolution and international principles.
President Tadic said China is playing an increasingly important
role in international affairs and its rapid economic development
provides new opportunities for Serbia.
Serbia has always viewed the development of its ties with China
as a strategic choice, and will do its utmost to further cement the
bilateral friendly relations and enhance all round cooperation,
said Tadic.
For his part, Kostunica said Serbia and China share a wide range
of mutual interests and common views on many important
international issues, which serves as an important foundation for
boosting bilateral cooperation.
Under the current circumstances, strengthening cooperation is
the two countries' mutual need. Serbia is willing to work with the
Chinese side to explore potential areas for cooperation and deepen
bilateral cooperation in various spheres including economics and
trade, investment and telecommunications.
Tadic and Kostunica also reaffirmed Serbia's firm adherence to
the one-China policy and the country's support to the reunification
of China, for which Tang expressed his appreciation.
Tang arrived in Belgrade last Saturday for a three-day official
visit. Serbia is the first stop of Tang's eight-day visit, which
will also bring him to Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovenia and
Croatia.
(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2006)
