Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan held talks in Beijing Tuesday with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al-nahayan of the United Arab Emirates.  

Tang said China attaches importance to Hamdan's visit to China and expressed his belief that this visit by Hamdan is bound to enhance mutual understanding, strengthen friendship and promote cooperation between the two sides.

Hamdan stressed both UAE President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the UAE government value cooperative relations with China in political, economic and scientific areas.

Hamdan expressed his hope that through talks between the two sides, the two countries can find new channels for development of bilateral relations.

Hamdan reiterated that the UAE will consistently adhere to the one-China policy.

The two sides also exchanged views and reached common consensus on issues of common concern including relations between China and Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, the Iraqi and the Middle East situation.

(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2004)