Sino-Italian Ties to Further Grow in New Century, President

Chinese President Meets Italian PM

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The growth of Sino-Italian ties has demonstrated that countries with different social systems can cooperate on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, Chinese President Jiang Zemin told visiting Italian Prime Minister Giuliano Amato Tuesday, January 16.

Amato is on a three-day official China tour at the invitation of Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji.

It is the second meeting between the two leaders within four months. Jiang and Amato previously met at the UN Millennium Summit last September.

After expressing satisfaction over the overall growth of cooperation between the two countries in recent years, Jiang voiced the stance of the Italian government in adhering to the One-China policy and in advocating dialogue instead of confrontation on the human rights issue.

Both leaders expressed the hope that people worldwide will enjoy a peaceful and stable life, shake off poverty and seek common developments in the new century.

Jiang said that the world should be a colorful one and urged political leaders to be far-sighted and cooperate for peace and development.

In response, Amato said that the world is moving toward multi-polarization. As countries develop unbalancedly, he called for more efforts on poverty elimination and the creation of a peaceful environment for development. "The United Nations should play a bigger role," he said.

Jiang also briefed the guests on China's domestic situation. After minimizing the effects of the Asian financial crisis, China scored rapid economic growth while ensuring social stability and improving people's living standards, Jiang said, adding that all reforms also proceeded smoothly.

Amato told Jiang that he has visited China in about every ten years and saw tremendous changes during every visit. He said he believed China will achieve bigger and faster development in the new century.