President Jiang Zemin arrived in Berlin Monday afternoon, kicking
off the first leg of a 15-day, five-nation tour.
In
written statement released upon his arrival, Jiang said that
enhancing comprehensive cooperation between China and Germany is
not only in the interests of their two peoples but also peace and
stability to people in the world.
Jiang said China and Germany are two nations that have strong
influence in their respective regions and the world. He said he
hoped his visit would promote mutual understanding and trust and
further expand mutual benefits and cooperation.
Tuesday, Jiang will meet President Johannes Rau and Chancellor
Gerhard Schroeder.
Shi Mingde, deputy director-general of the Department of Western
European Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry,
pointed out that Jiang's visit to Germany comes on the 30th
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between
the People's Republic of China and the Federal Republic of
Germany.
He
said that economic relations and trade have developed rapidly. Last
year, two-way trade was US$23.5 billion, a 19.3 percent increase
year on year. This accounts for a third of China's total trade
volume with the European Union.
He
said the two sides share many common views and interests on such
major international issues as maintaining world peace, fighting
terrorism, and maintaining a global strategic balance.
After Germany, Jiang will visit Libya, Tunisia, Nigeria, and Iran.
Cheng Tao, director-general of the Department of African Affairs at
China's Foreign Ministry, said that Jiang's visit to Nigeria will
be the first by a Chinese head of state since China and Nigeria
established diplomatic relations 31 years ago.
The two leaders are expected to discuss how to consolidate and
develop China-Nigeria relations, as well as regional and
international issues of common concern, said Cheng. He said that
the two countries will sign a series of important documents on
cooperation.
At
present, Nigeria is one of China's most important trading partners
in Africa. Bilateral trade exceeded US$1.1 billion last year, which
is a historical high.
Cheng said that Nigeria is rich in resources and has a vast market
and huge potential for development.
"Many Chinese enterprises are actively committed to conducting
mutually beneficial co-operation with Nigeria,'' Cheng said.
Wu
Chunhua -- director-general of the Department of West Asian and
North African Affairs -- said that Jiang's visit to Libya and Iran
will reciprocate the visits to China by Libyan leaders and Iranian
president Mohammad Khatami. It will also be the first visit to
Libya by a Chinese head of state.
"China maintains sound co-operative relations with all the
countries in west Asia and north Africa,'' said Wu.
During the visit to Libya, Tunisia and Iran, Wu said that Jiang
would talk about the Middle East issue and convey China's views on
the current situation, particularly China's worry and concern about
current developments in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Wu
said China hoped that those concerned would implement a ceasefire
as soon as possible to create the conditions for a resumption of
negotiations.
(China
Daily April 9, 2002)