Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, April 11, 2002
Jiang: Development of Sino-European Ties Promising
Visiting Chinese President Jiang Zemin said here Wednesday that Sino-European relations have a broad prospect for growth as there are favorable conditions for bilateral cooperation.
Visiting Chinese President Jiang Zemin said here Wednesday that Sino-European relations have a broad prospect for growth as there are favorable conditions for bilateral cooperation.
Addressing the Germany Society For Foreign Affairs, Jiang said that looking into the future, the ties between China and European countries hold promise for development.
He said they are important players on the world stage and sharecommon interests in maintaining world peace and promoting common development.
China is devoting itself to reform, open-up and modernization, while western Europe is pushing for integration, the Chinese president noted, adding this will give new impetus to increased exchange and cooperation.
Cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, science and technology between the two sides is of great complementarity, as China possesses rich labor resources and a broad market, while western Europe has abundant funds and advanced technologies.
He said that they could also benefit from each other's experience in areas such as natural and social sciences and culture, since China and western European countries all have long histories and splendid cultures. They have all greatly contributedto human progress and civilization.
Jiang said that the Sino-European relationship occupies an important position in China's foreign relations, expressing his satisfaction at the current development.
He said that in recent years, the bilateral cooperation has become increasingly enriched in contents, with positive results yielded in political dialogue and consultation at all levels, morecommon ground on international and regional affairs found and contacts in various areas further deepened.
It is not strange that China and European nations hold different views on some issues, as they have come through different historical stages and differed from each other in many aspects such as social system, economic development level, cultural tradition and value, Jiang told his German audience.
He said that the two sides could reduce their differences and enhance mutual understanding, trust and consensus, as long as theymaintain active political dialogue and abide by the principle of respecting each other, treating each other equally and seeking common ground while shelving differences through consultations.
Jiang said that Europe could and should play an important role in helping achieve peace and development in the 21st century, as it is the biggest and most integrated regional bloc in the world. China has always supported the bloc in promoting world peace and common development.
Jiang is on a tour of five nations, which are Germany, Libya, Nigeria, Tunisia and Iran, from April 8 to 22. He will stay in Germany for five days.