Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan Visits AlbaniaChina and Albania have shared a positive assessment of the development of relations between the two countries and agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields, including that in trade and economy.The assessment was made during a two-day visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan to the Balkan nation, which concluded Tuesday, December 5. During his stay in Tirana, Tang held separate talks with Albanian President Rexhep Meidani, Prime Minister Ilir Meta, People's Assembly President Skender Gjinushi and his counterpart Paskal Milo. While meeting with Meidani, Tang said the development of Sino-Albanian relations is sound and that cooperation and contacts between the two countries in various areas are on the increase. The two countries shared identical or similar views on many major international affairs, Tang added. Both noted the marked growth in bilateral relations since Meidani's visit to China a year ago, with Tang saying that the China-Albania relationship has entered a new stage of friendship, equality, mutual benefit and cooperative relations. Tang also said China is ready, in the spirit of seeking common ground while reserving differences, to further promote the development of bilateral ties in the coming new century, both in scope and depth. Meidani expressed the hope the two countries would maintain and strengthen the exchange of visits at the top-level, adding that his country was particularly interested in expanding trade and economic cooperation with China. On the Taiwan issue, Meidani reaffirmed his country's "one China" policy. He said Albania supports the principle of "one country, two systems" adopted by the Chinese government in resolving the Taiwan issue and also supports related moves taken by the Chinese government in this regard. At the talks between Tang and Milo, both agreed that the Sino-Albanian relationship is going through its best period in a decade. Milo expressed his country's readiness to expand trade and economic cooperation with China and hoped to draw more Chinese investments and cooperation projects in Albania. Tang said China was ready, under the principle of market economy and on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, to conduct increased trade and economic cooperation with Albania. Trade and economic cooperation between the two countries holds out a bright future, he added. During his meeting with Gjinushi, Tang handed him a letter from Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC), inviting him to visit China next year. In the letter, Li expressed the hope to strengthen links and contact between the Albanian People's Assembly and the NPC. |
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