Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said December 14 that the Chinese Government is ready to make concerted efforts with the Fijian Government to usher in stable Sino-Fijian relations of all-round cooperation in the next century on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence.

Zhu made the remark during talks with visiting Fijian Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry at the Great Hall of the People.

Speaking highly of Sino-Fijian relations, Zhu said that major developments have been made in bilateral ties since diplomatic relations were initiated 24 years ago.

The two countries have cooperated well in international and regional affairs, Zhu said, adding that China is satisfied with the growth of bilateral ties.

Zhu said that China and Fiji, both developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region, are concerned with stability and development in the region. Both countries face the same task of developing their economies and improving the livelihood of their people, he said.

Zhu said the development of the two countries' friendly relations of cooperation is not only in the interests of the two peoples but also conducive to the stability and development of the region and the world as a whole.

Chaudhry said that Fiji-China relations have witnessed significant developments since the two countries established diplomatic ties. He emphasized that Fiji recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China as outlined in the Fiji-China joint communique in establishing diplomatic ties. Chaudhry said that this position will not change.

Zhu expressed appreciation for the Fijian government's adherence to the "one China" stand.

Zhu said that Fiji is China's important trade partner in south Pacific region. Fiji is abundant with resources, while China has a huge market and technology, and there is great potential for bilateral cooperation, he said.

China will continue to encourage the people from the economic and trade circles in the two countries to increase contact and share information so as to increase bilateral trade, said Zhu.

Chaudhry said that the Fijian Government attaches great importance to economic and trade ties with China and to exploring new possibilities for cooperation in various fields.

The Fijian prime minister expressed his delight on China's progress in the process of WTO entry. He expressed the hope that China will become a WTO member as soon as possible. Chaudhry also congratulated China on the upcoming resumption of its exercise of sovereignty over Macao.

Following the talks, the two leaders attended a ceremony for the signing of an agreement on economic and technological cooperation between the two countries and a memorandum of understanding on setting up a consultation system between the Chinese and Fijian foreign ministries.