Arafat, Jiang Call for Closer Sino-Palestinian TiesChinese President Jiang Zemin saturday said in Bethlehem, Palestine that furthering the Sino-Palestinian friendly relations, which have withstood changes of international situation, is in the fundamental interests of the two countries.The two sides should be committed to promoting bilateral ties by constantly adding new contents to the friendship, Jiang said during his talks with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. Maintaining frequent high-level contacts constitutes an important way of promoting the bilateral ties, Jiang said, adding that the leaders of the two countries should encourage the exchanges on various levels and strengthen the consultation system as an effort to push forward the relations between the two countries. He said that China and Palestine should explore news ways and channels to enhance economic and trade cooperation. The two governments should encourage the business circles of the two countries to speed up mutual beneficial cooperation in order to push the bilateral trade to a new high, Jiang noted. Jiang expressed his appreciation to Palestine's adherence to the one China policy and support for China's re-unification cause and China's stances in dealing with the international issues. He reiterated that the Chinese government and people always support the just cause and reasonable requirements of the Palestinian people, as well as the Palestinian self-rule government's right choice of settling conflicts through peace negotiations. No matter what happens, China will never change its stand of supporting Palestine's just cause, Jiang said. Arafat extended his warm welcome to Jiang, saying that the Palestinian people are very pleased to receive Jiang, the good friend of Palestine, on their own territory. He cited the visit as an important one which will have significant bearing in the world. He said that the Palestinian people will never forget China's tremendous support and help to their struggle, and Palestine would like to consolidate its ties with China in the new century, and expand the cooperation in various fields. Jiang arrived Saturday morning for a state visit to Palestine at the invitation of Arafat. This is the first visit paid by a Chinese head of state to Palestine, and also Jiang's second leg of his five-nation tour. The other four countries are Israel, Turkey, Greece and South Africa. |
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