Chinese, Portuguese Presidents Hold Talks 　　Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio held talks in Lisbon on October 26 afternoon, exchanging views in an in-depth manner on the issue of Macao, bilateral relations and international issues of common concern. 　　Believing that Jiang's visit will drastically push forward the development of bilateral relations, Sampaio said that it is of vital significance for Jiang to visit Portugal on the eve of the Macao handover. 　　The cooperation between the two countries to this end during the transitional period of the Macao handover has strengthened the bilateral relationship, he added. 　　The Portuguese president said that China is a big country and is playing a more and more important role over international affairs. Portugal will be the rotating chairman of the European Union in the early half of next year and it will help deepen the relationship between the EU and China. 　　Sampaio said that strengthening the relationship between Europe and China is an important factor of world peace and stability. 　　Jiang said that his visit on the eve of the Macao handover demonstrates the good will of the Chinese government and people toward developing and strengthening Sino-Portuguese relationship. 　　The Chinese president elaborated China's stand and principle on the issue of Macao. Since the joint communique between the two countries on the issue of Macao was signed and through the efforts and cooperation of both sides, Jiang said, a series of important issues facing the transitional period of the Macao handover have been solved, which has created necessary conditions for Macao's smooth transition and handover, and for the implementation of the policy of "one country, two systems," "governing Macao by Macao people" and high level of self-administration. 　　"To ensure the smooth handover of Macao complies with the basic interest of both China and Portugal," Jiang stressed. 　　He reaffirmed that after China resumed sovereignty over Macao, the central government will abide strictly by the policy of "one country, two systems" and the basic law of the Macao SAR, and it will not interfere with the affairs within the range of self-administration of the Macao SAR. 　　"I believe that Macao will undoubtedly play the role of being a bridge and link between China and Portugal and China and the EU in developing the respective relationship in days to come," Jiang stressed, adding that he himself will go to Macao and participate in the ceremony of handover. 　　Sampaio said he was pleased to hear Jiang's comment on this issue. History will prove that the Macao handover will surely be smooth. The relationship between Portugal and China as well as that between the EU and China will be surely strengthened, he said. 　　Within two months, said Sampaio who will also go to Macao and participate in the handover, Portugal and China will work together to solve the remaining issues within the transitional period. 　　On bilateral relations, Jiang said, this year is the 20th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties between China and Portugual. Over the past 20 years, through the joint efforts of both sides, the relationship of friendly cooperation between the two countries in all fields has kept developing. 　　Having recalled the development of bilateral cooperation in the political, trade, cultural, technological, judicial and military field ever since then, Jiang added that the two countries also have identical or similar views on major international issues and good cooperation within international institutions including the United Nations. 　　Jiang expressed the confidence that so long as both countries abide by the principle of mutual respect and mutual benefit, the relationship of friendly cooperation will undoubtedly move forward. 　　Sampaio and his ministers introduced their ideas of expanding technological cooperation and investment in China, to which China has made positive response. 　　Then, Jiang dwelled on China's principle and stand on the issue of Taiwan, and expressed appreciation of the Portuguese government for its long-time insistence of the one China policy. 　　On the relationship between China and Europe, Jiang pointed out that the relationship between China and EU and its member countries, has enjoyed good tendency of development. 　　China has attached importance to the development of its relationship with EU, and both have important influence over international affairs, Jiang said. 　　"China hopes that EU will play a constructive role in maintaining world peace and promoting common development," said the Chinese President, adding that China is willing to make joint efforts with Portugual which will be the rotating chairman of EU in the first half of next year to push forward the further development of the relationship between China and EU. (Xinhua) WorldNews 1999-10-27 Page1 Full Story in Chinese