China and Chad vowed on Friday to beef up exchanges and
cooperation and jointly pursue "long-term stable, sincere and
amicable" relations with comprehensive cooperation.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands
with Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno while meeting in Beijing,
capital of China, Sept. 21, 2007.
"Facts have proved that development of relations between China
and Chad serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples. We
should handle issues concerning our relationship in a far-sighted
way," Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in his meeting with visiting
Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno.
Wen said that China values its ties with Chad and will encourage
Chinese enterprises to further participate in Chad's economic
construction and continue to provide assistance to Chad within its
ability.
Deby hailed the remarkable development of bilateral relations
since the two nations resumed diplomatic relations a year ago,
saying that Chad will work with the Chinese side to deepen mutual
understanding and foster friendship between the two countries and
expand the area of cooperation.
He reiterated that Chad will continue to adhere to the one-China
policy.
China and Chad first established formal diplomatic links in 1972
but China severed diplomatic relations with Chad in 1997 when the
country resumed the so-called "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan.
The two countries released a joint press communique after the
meeting on Friday, in which Chad reiterated that it sticks to the
one-China policy and recognizes the government of the People's
Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the
whole of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese
territory.
Chad opposes any types of "Taiwan Independence" secessionist
activities, including the proposed referendum on UN membership,
says the communique.
The African country also promised not to develop any official
relations with Taiwan and oppose Taiwan's bid to join any
international and regional organizations that only accept sovereign
countries.
In the communique, the two nations expressed their satisfaction
with development of bilateral relations since diplomatic relations
were resumed in August 2006 and agreed to further step up friendly
exchanges and expand pragmatic cooperation.
China said it will continue to provide assistance to Chad's
economic and social construction with its ability and encourage
Chinese enterprises to further their investment in Chad.
The two sides also pledged in the communique to step up their
exchanges and cooperation in the fields of education, culture and
public health, beef up coordination and cooperation in
international affairs to safeguard legitimate rights of developing
countries and jointly push for the establishment of a harmonious
world of lasting peace and common prosperity.
(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2007)