Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, in talks with Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman in Beijing on December 16, said that Sino-Czech relations will develop even further in the 21st century.

Bilateral ties should develop in a more stable and sound manner, Zhu stressed.

Czech was one of the first countries to forge diplomatic relations with China. Noting the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Czech diplomatic ties this year, Zhu gave credits to Czech's enormous support for New China and the Chinese people, which he said the Chinese government and the people will not forget.

Bilateral relations have greatly developed over this period and areas of cooperation have ever been expanded, Zhu said. China appreciates the efforts made by the Czech government, led by Prime Minister Zeman, to promote Sino-Czech relations.

The Chinese people greatly value the traditional friendship between China and Czech, and attaches importance to developing bilateral relations, said Zhu, adding that China respects Czech people's choice of their own social system and development path.

The Premier stressed that China is fully prepared to promote Sino-Czech relations in the 21st century on the basis of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.

Zhu also expressed his appreciation for the Czech government's adherence to the "One China" policy.

On bilateral trade and economic ties, Zhu said that the Chinese government encourages enterprises in China and Czech to increase exchanges and further expand their markets. Zhu believes that joint efforts will enable the two countries to fully develop economic cooperation.

Zhu hopes that more Czech enterprises and companies will enter the Chinese market and take every opportunity to tap into its huge market potential.

Zeman congratulated China on Macao's forthcoming return to the motherland, and said that over the past five decades successive Czech governments have actively promoted Sino-Czech relations.

The Czech government respects and follows the "One China" policy, and does not interfere in China's internal affairs, or engage in any activity which will undermines China's interests, said Zeman, adding that his government places great importance on developing cooperative relations with China in the political, economic and cultural arena.

Zeman said that his country would like to expand economic and trade cooperation with China. He also invited Premier Zhu to visit Czech. Zhu thanked Zeman for the invitation.

After the talks, Zhu and Zeman attended a ceremony at which a contract to import two power generators from Czech and Slovakia was signed.