Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase said Monday that his country cherishes friendly relations with China and firmly adheres to the one-China policy. 

He made the remarks when meeting Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, in the Fijian capital of Suva.

The prime minister said Fiji attaches much importance to ties with China and hopes to consolidate and promote friendly cooperation with China.

Having been adhering to the one-China policy for the past three decades, Fiji will continue to stick to the policy in the future, Qarase stressed.

Wang said China highly values relations with Fiji and is willing to push forward, together with the Fijian side, the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

Wang also briefed Qarase on the latest development of relations across the Taiwan Straits, saying China appreciates Fiji's adherence to the one-China policy.

Wang, leading a CPC delegation, arrived in Fiji on Sunday for a friendly visit at the invitation of Qarase's United Fiji Party.

(Xinhua News Agency June 7, 2005)