Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met in Beijing Tuesday with a delegation from the Andean Community, exchanging views on cooperation among developing countries.

China launched the Political Consultation and Cooperation Mechanism in October 2002 with the Andean Community, the oldest regional organization comprising Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.

The delegation is in Beijing for the second political consultation with the Chinese.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met with the delegation and Vice Foreign Minister Zhou Wenzhong held political consultations with the delegation.

In a joint press communique signed by the two sides Monday, China and the Andean Community agreed to increase mutual trust and promote cooperation.

The two sides also agreed to support each other in safeguarding shared interest of developing countries in international affairs.

The Andean Community promised that its members adhere to the one-China policy and will not develop any official ties with Taiwan. China welcomes the member states to participate in the regional cooperation in Asia-Pacific region, the communique said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 8, 2004)