Chinese President Jiang Zemin said Tuesday that China was ready to push forward its friendly relations with Fiji on the basis of five principles of peaceful coexistence.
During his meeting with visiting Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, Jiang said that the successful talks between Premier Zhu Rongji and Laisenia Qarase and the joint statement signed by the two sides Monday injected a new dynamic into bilateral relations.
Jiang told Laisenia Qarase that China held that all nations, big or small, poor or rich, strong or weak, were equal members of the international community, and should have friendly and equal treatment.
He said that China and Fiji were developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region and shared common ground in safeguarding regional stability and prosperity.
Jiang said the two countries had more room for economic and trade cooperation.
He said that China valued its relations with Fiji and respected the way Fiji had chosen to develop its society.
On the Taiwan issue, Jiang expressed appreciation for the Fijian government's observance of the one-China policy, hoping that Fiji would continue its observance of this policy to properly handle the issue on Taiwan and ensure the smooth development of Sino-Fijian friendly relations.
Laisenia Qarase conveyed Fijian President Josefa Iloilo's greeting to Jiang, saying that China was a key member of the international community, and played an important role in international affairs, especially in Asia-Pacific affairs.
He said that Fiji expected to cooperate with China in fisheries, education and tourism fields.
He expressed appreciation for the principle held by China on non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
The prime minister vowed to observe the relevant commitment stipulated in the joint statement signed Monday, and reaffirmed that Fiji would continue to adhere to the one-China policy.
"Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and a province of China," he said.
He also thanked China for its long-term aid to Fiji.
(People's Daily May 29, 2002)
