Visiting Chinese President Jiang Zemin delivered a speech to eminent persons from all spectrum of the society in Saudi Arabia November 2. The full text follows.

First of all, I would like to extend, on behalf of the Chinese Government and people, and in my own name, our heartfelt thanks to everyone present here and to people from all walks of life in Saudi Arabia who have worked to promote the friendship between the peoples of China and Saudi Arabia.

Mohammed made a famous remark, which goes like this, "For people in pursuit of knowledge, even China is not too far away." For a long time, the Chinese and Arab people have learned from each other and their friendly relations can trace back to ancient times. We have been linked up by the ancient "Silk Road," which serves as a bond of friendship. As early as over 1,000 years ago, Chinese commercial ships started to call at the Port of Jidda. In the Ming Dynasty, Zheng He, who led fleets to what was then called "West Sea" seven times, visited the Port of Jidda, and even arrived at Macca on his way there. As early as 651 AD, envoys and businessmen of the Arab Empire started to visit and do business in China. Some of these people settled down in China and served as officials in the Chinese imperial court. Some Arabic travelists wrote Sulaiman's Story and Journey of Ibn Batouta, enabling Arab people and Europeans to know about the society, life, culture, science, technology and business in China at the time.

Both the Chinese and Arabic nations have a long history and have created their own brilliant civilizations. China produced in its history many outstanding philosophers, thinkers, statesmen, strategists, scientists, writers and artists and left us numerous volumes of literature. Various schools of thought and their exponents such as Lao Zi and Confucius in the Spring and Autumn Period and that of the Warring States occupy a very important position in the world history of philosophy, and are still influencing the Chinese society today. Ancient China made outstanding contributions to humanity in many areas including astronomy, calendric system, geography, mathematics, agriculture, medicine and the humanities. China's four great inventions of paper making, gun-powder, printing and compass in particular, had greatly advanced the progress of human civilization and their extensive application has profoundly changed the face of the world. The ancient Arabs also excelled in the areas of medicine, philosophy, literature, history, geography, mathematics and chemistry. Ibn Sina and Ibn Roshd were regarded as medical authority of their times. Kalela Wademmnah written by Ibn Almoqafai and the Arabic Nights, a renowned novel, have been passed on in the literary realm of the world and are still popular even today.

The human society has created varied and colorful civilizations in its long process of evolution. These civilizations, with all their similarities and differences, are products of human wisdom. It is exactly this diversity that has made our earth a colorful planet with nearly 200 countries and regions and over 2,500 nations living on it. It is essential for different civilizations to conduct dialogue and exchanges on an equal basis, learn from each other, and draw on others' strength to make up for their own weaknesses. They will thus be able to bring new prosperity to human civilization while developing and enriching themselves. Conflicts and disagreements are unavoidable between various nations due to their differences in historical development, social background, cultural tradition and lifestyle. These conflicts and differences can be resolved through dialogue and exchanges on an equal footing and in the spirit of mutual respect. It is wrong to place the civilization of one's own nation before other civilizations and ignore or even despise other civilizations, make much ado about the differences between civilizations, or attempt to stir up conflicts between various civilizations, for they are detrimental to progress of world civilization and to the lofty cause of world peace and development.

China and the Arabic countries are all developing countries. Sympathizing and supporting each other in international affairs, they are a staunch force for world peace and regional stability. China has all along attached importance to its friendly relations and cooperation with Arabic countries and supported the just cause of the Arab people and their legitimate rights and interests.

The Arabic countries have rendered China their resolute support on the question of Taiwan and many other issues. The two sides share broad common views on human rights and a wide range of other issues.

The recent years have witnessed increased political exchanges and expanded economic cooperation and trade between the two sides.

In 1998, the trade volume between China and 19 Arabic countries in West Asia and North Africa reached 7.1 billion US dollars, and that between China and Saudi Arabia stood at nearly 1. 7 billion US dollars. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has become China's largest trading partner in the West Asian and North African region.

Our two countries are highly complementary, economically and commercially, which promises a tremendous potential for cooperation and a broad prospect.

We wish to explore with Saudi Arabia new ways and channels for enhanced economic cooperation and trade between the two countries. We hope that more Saudi entrepreneurs will go on study tours and make investment in China and contribute to the friendly ties and cooperation between the two countries.

The 20th century is one of great and sweeping changes in China. Our ancestors advocated the idea that "gentlemen exert themselves unceasingly." This idea reflects the Chinese people's fine tradition of reform, innovation, and hard working.

In the first 50 years of this century, the Chinese people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, waged a tenacious struggle and won national independence and people's liberation and founded the People's Republic of China.

In the second half of the century, especially in the two decades since the reform and opening up, our people have worked hard and independently, overcome various difficulties and made remarkable achievements in building up the country. All this has brought about profound changes to the face of our country. In these five decades, China's GNP has grown by 7.7 percent annually on average, a rate much higher than the world average of around 3 percent for the same period. Its economic aggregates have jumped to the 7th largest in the world and foreign exchange reserves now stand at more than 150 billion US dollars. China has established trade relations with 220 countries and regions. In 1998, the total volume of its foreign trade reached more than 320 billion US dollars. China has become one of the most dynamically developing countries in the world.

The Chinese people love peace. Our ancient thinkers advanced the maxims that "friendly neighbors are a boon to the state" and that "do not do unto others what you would not like done to yourself." These ideas reflect the long-cherished earnest desire of the Chinese people against power politics and for peace. We are committed to developing, on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, friendly relations and cooperation with all countries in the world and have made unremitting efforts in maintaining world peace and stability. We will continue to pursue the basic state policy of opening up, engage in extensive cooperation and exchanges with other countries in the world and make new contribution to human progress and development.

Mankind is at the threshold of the 21st century. Let us join hands and write a new chapter of human progress and civilization in the new century. (Xinhua)