President Jiang Zemin Meets Vanuatu PM

Chinese President Meets Vanuatu PM

President Jiang Zemin met with Prime Minister Barak Tame Sope of the Republic of Vanuatu on November 7 in Zhongnanhai, the central government compound.

Jiang lauded Sope as an old friend of the Chinese people and praised his efforts in promoting bilateral relations. He expressed the conviction that the prime minister's current visit would help deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

The president also gave high marks to the smooth growth of bilateral ties, including the frequent high-level contacts, fruitful cooperation in all fields, and close coordination on world affairs. Such communication has invigorated bilateral ties, he said.

Although China and Vanuatu are far apart geographically, different in social systems, development level, and cultural background, they are both developing countries of the Asia-Pacific region shouldering the same tasks of safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, developing their national economies, and lifting people's living standard, Jiang noted.

China places great importance on its friendship with Vanuatu and is willing to push bilateral ties up to a new high through concerted efforts, he said.

Sope also voiced satisfaction over the rapid growth of bilateral ties since the forging of diplomatic relations in 1982, saying such a friendship is built upon a solid foundation. He also reaffirmed Vanuatu's pursuit of the One-China Policy.

Jiang said he appreciated Vanuatu's consistent support of the One-China Policy and of China's position on issues concerning Taiwan at the South Pacific Forum meetings.

Sope arrived in Beijing Monday morning for an official visit at the invitation of Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji.