Chinese President Jiang Zemin said in Beijing Monday that the cooperation between China and Nigeria, two populous developing nations, has bright prospects.

Jiang made the remarks in his talks with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is in Beijing for a four-day state visit as a guest of Jiang.

China and Nigeria share extensive interests in safeguarding world peace, promoting South-South cooperation, developing their own national economy and advancing common prosperity in the world, he said.

The enhancement of such bilateral ties is not only in the fundamental interests of the two, but also conducive to the world peace and development, he said, adding that the Chinese government and people hope to join hands with the Nigerian government and people for such a cause.

In the talks Jiang outlined a four-point proposal for advancing bilateral ties.

The four-points are sincere friendship and mutual trust, mutually beneficial cooperation for common development, enhancement of consultations and mutual support, and facing up to the future.

Obasanjo said he highly appreciates Jiang's four-point proposal and believes such a relationship could be further strengthened in the new century.

Jiang said that both China and Nigeria now face up to the challenges brought by economic globalization. The enhanced consultations and cooperation in major international issues are beneficial to the role of developing countries in international affairs for the legal interests of developing countries.

Obasanjo fully agreed with Jiang's views on bilateral ties and the regional situation. He described China as "a reliable friend” of Nigeria and spoke highly of the accomplishments made by China in its reform and opening-up drive.

He said he hopes the two countries can expand and strengthen mutually beneficial ties, in particular in telecommunications, energy, transportation and other fields.

Jiang said that quite a number of competent Chinese companies are willing to participate in the economic construction in Nigeria.

China and Nigeria signed six cooperative documents, including inter-governmental pacts on cooperation, trade and mutual investment protection, after the talks. Jiang and Obasanjo attended the signing ceremony.

Jiang and Obasanjo also shared their common views on the solution to the fundamental right of existence in such populous countries as China and Nigeria.

"We hold no disagreement on universal principles of human rights," Jiang said. However, different countries should have their own understanding about human rights based on their own national conditions, Jiang said.

He thanked Nigeria for siding with China on such major issues as human rights.

Obasanjo said certain "random criticism" made by western countries on China's human rights showed "double standards". And Nigeria disagreed with the western nations' views on human rights.

For developing countries, he said, the solution to the problem of feeding and clothing their people is the prime goal for them.

As the world's most populous country, China has successfully solved such a problem. This is the best human right, he said.

(China.org.cn 08/28/2001)