Visiting State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met on Monday with Serbian President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica respectively. Both sides vowed to promote all-round cooperation.

 

Tang said China and Serbia have witnessed profound changes in internal and international situations in recent years. Based on the principle of mutual respect, full equality and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, the two nations have made active efforts to boost bilateral relations and cooperation in all fields, and thus become reliable friends and important partners engaged in mutually beneficial cooperation.

 

Tang said the Chinese government is keen to develop its ties with Serbia and is willing to work with Serbia to promote bilateral relations and cooperation to a new level.

 

China will continue to respect Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and support the effort to properly resolve the Kosovo issue through negotiations in line with relevant UN resolution and international principles.

 

President Tadic said China is playing an increasingly important role in international affairs and its rapid economic development provides new opportunities for Serbia.

 

Serbia has always viewed the development of its ties with China as a strategic choice, and will do its utmost to further cement the bilateral friendly relations and enhance all round cooperation, said Tadic.

 

For his part, Kostunica said Serbia and China share a wide range of mutual interests and common views on many important international issues, which serves as an important foundation for boosting bilateral cooperation.

 

Under the current circumstances, strengthening cooperation is the two countries' mutual need. Serbia is willing to work with the Chinese side to explore potential areas for cooperation and deepen bilateral cooperation in various spheres including economics and trade, investment and telecommunications.

 

Tadic and Kostunica also reaffirmed Serbia's firm adherence to the one-China policy and the country's support to the reunification of China, for which Tang expressed his appreciation.

 

Tang arrived in Belgrade last Saturday for a three-day official visit. Serbia is the first stop of Tang's eight-day visit, which will also bring him to Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovenia and Croatia.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2006)