Chinese, Croatian Presidents Hail Bilateral Ties
Jiang Zemin and Stjepan Mesic
Xinhuanet 2002-05-16 23:12:05
BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese President Jiang Zemin held
talks in Beijing on Thursday with visiting Croatian President
Stjepan Mesic, hailing the steady progress in Sino-Croat
friendship. During the talks, Jiang said in the past decade since the two
counties established diplomatic relations, the ties between China
and Croatia had steadily grown, mutual political trust had
improved and cooperation in economic and scientific fields,
culture, education and tourism had become closer.
China and Croatia supported each other in international
organizations and "we have become good partners in equality,
mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation," Jiang said.
While extending his appreciation for Croatia's adhering to the
one-China principle, Jiang said China attached importance to Sino-
Croat friendship, and was willing to elevate ties to a higher
level based on the principles of a joint statement the two leaders
signed. Jiang put forward four proposals for promoting bilateral ties
in the new century: Firstly, to strengthen political dialogue at various levels to
improve mutual political trust, and to seek mutual understanding
and support on major issues of benefit to each country.
Secondly, to actively expand economic cooperation and trade
between the two sides. Thirdly, to widen mutually beneficial cooperation in various
fields including culture, education, science and medicine, to
study the possibility of cooperation in finance and accelerate the
process of making Croatia a tourism destination for Chinese
citizens. Fourthly, to expand local government exchanges between both
countries plus private exchanges.
Mesic briefly explained Croatia's foreign and domestic
policies and views on the situation in Southeast Europe.
Jiang said Croatia had important influence in middle and
eastern Europe, and China was glad to see Croatia enjoying a
stable society and booming economy, as well as improved living
conditions for its people, developing sound ties with its
neighbors, and playing an active role in regional and
international affairs. China respected the development route and policies Croatia
chose based on its domestic state, understood the efforts Croatia
made in the integration of Europe, and appreciated the plural
foreign policy of Croatia, said Jiang.
Of the current international situation, Jiang said China agreed
with democratic international ties and held that all countries no
matter whether big or small, rich or poor, strong or weak, were
equal members of the international community, and had equal rights
to participate in international affairs. Jiang said the diversity of the world should be expected. Each country had the right to choose its own development route to suit
its domestic conditions, and existing differences in social
systems and values should not be regarded as barriers to
developing ties between countries.
No country could be allowed to establish hegemonism and
interfere in other countries' internal affairs, Jiang added.
Jiang stated China's stance on anti-terrorism, noting that no
other international or regional organizations could take the place
of the United Nation whose authority and importance made it the
most popular international organization in the world.
Jiang hoped the leading role of the U.N. in international
affairs, including the fight against terrorism would be further
strengthened.
Mesic hailed China's achievements in reform and opening up to
the outside world, adding that Croatia attached great importance
to the positive role China played in international affairs as a
permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Mesic said the distance between Croatia and China would not
influence bilateral cooperation in various fields, and hoped the
two countries, both as members of the World Trade Organization (
WTO), would improve cooperation in the new century.
Mesic added that Croatia adhered to the "One China" policy, and
agreed to fight terrorism through the U.N..
After the talks, the two sides signed the Joint Statement of
the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Croatia on
Deepening Their Relationship through Mutually Beneficial
Cooperation. They also signed an Agreement on Scientific Co-operation
Between the Croatian Academy of Science and Arts and the Chinese
Academy of Engineering and the Agreement on Establishment of
Friendly Economic and Trade Partnership Between Liaoning Province
of P.R.China and Primorsko-Goranska County of Republic of Croatia.
Before the talks, Jiang presided a welcome ceremony for Mesic.
Enditem
China, Croatia Issue Joint Statement of Cooperation
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Xinhuanet 2002-05-17 00:28:03
BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese President Jiang Zemin and
visiting Croatian President Stjepan Mesic signed a Joint Statement
on Thursday aimed at improving Sino-Croat cooperation after talks
in Beijing.
The statement, titled the Joint Statement of the People's
Republic of China and the Republic of Croatia on Strengthening
Their Relationship with Mutually Beneficial Cooperation, said that
Jiang and Mesic shared similar views on issues covered during
their talks.
It said China and Croatia were both dedicated to world peace
and believed it was necessary to narrow the gap between developed
and developing countries. Terrorism posed a danger to all
countries in the world and solutions should be sought to deal with
the issue, it said.
The statement listed eight points as follows:
1. The two sides are satisfied with the friendly cooperation
between them since they established diplomatic relations ten years
ago. They are willing to abide by comprehensively-accepted
international rules and develop bilateral ties plus ties with
other countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-
existence.
2. The two sides are willing to strengthen dialogue at various
levels and exchange views on bilateral ties, reform, development
and the international situation on various levels.
3. The two sides are satisfied with sustained growth in
economic cooperation and trade between them, and are willing to
improve mutually beneficial cooperation in accordance with market
economy principles.
4. The two sides welcome and totally support exchanges and
cooperation in science, culture, education, medicine, tourism,
sports and other fields.
5. Croatia will continue to adhere to the one-China principle
and China appreciates the efforts made by Croatia in joining
Europe's integration process. China believes Croatia plays a
positive role in safeguarding regional stability.
6. The two sides agree that all countries, whether big or small,
rich or poor, are equal in the international community, and should
enjoy equal rights in participating in international affairs. The
two are willing to join with the international community to
promote the establishment of a just and rational new international
order.
7. The two sides stress the importance of the United Nations as
it is the most important inter-governmental organization, and are
willing to strengthen its leading role in handling international
relations. The two will honor the tenet and principles of the UN
Charter, and are willing to continue cooperation in the UN and
other international organizations.
8. the two sides believe terrorism poses a serious danger to
civilization, and support the fight against terrorism of any form.
They hold that dual standards should not be adopted in fighting
terrorism, international cooperation should be pursued and the
role of the United Nations should be recognized. Enditem