The development of ties between China and Estonia is in the interests of both countries, President Jiang Zemin said yesterday during a meeting with his Estonian counterpart.

Addressing visiting Estonian President Lennart Meri, Jiang said that closer ties between the two nations would contribute to mutual support and co-operation that would in turn help both to maintain national independence and sovereignty while also pursuing economic development.

According to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, both leaders spoke highly of the development of bilateral relations.

Jiang described the ties as "having developed healthily and steadily?and Meri said that relations between the two countries have never been better.

Meri attributed development of diplomatic relations in the last decade to China's even-handedness in treating countries with respect, regardless of size.

China was among the first countries to recognize Estonia when it declared independence in 1991.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations. Estonia is now China's largest trading partner among the three Baltic nations that used to be part of the former Soviet Union.

During yesterday's meeting, Jiang expressed appreciation for Estonia's adherence to the one-China policy with regard to the question of Taiwan, and for its support of China's policies on Tibet.

Meri also briefed Jiang on Estonia's efforts to join the European Union (EU), according to the spokesman.

Chairman Li Peng of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, during a separate meeting with Meri earlier yesterday, said that China supports Estonia's accession to the EU, which is expected to happen soon.

The Estonian president arrived in Beijing on Thursday for a 10-day unofficial visit. He is also scheduled to visit Shanghai, the South China resort of Sanya and Macao.

(China Daily 03/03/2001)