Premier Zhu Holds Talks with Qatar Prime Minister

Premier Zhu Holds Talks with Qatar Prime Minister

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Premier Zhu Rongji said Monday afternoon that China is willing to work with Qatar to further bilateral cooperation and develop the long-term stable, friendly relations between the two countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality, and benefit.

Zhu made the remarks in talks with visiting Prime Minister Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al-Thani of the State of Qatar.

Zhu spoke positively of the bilateral relations, saying that Abdullah's visit is a big event in bilateral ties and China attaches great importance to the visit.

On the human rights issue, Zhu noted that the Chinese government has always committed itself to the protection and promotion of human rights and basic freedom of the Chinese people and also respects the principle of universality of human rights.

The premier thanked the Qatar government for its support to China on the human rights issue.

He also spoke highly of Qatar's one-China position, stressing that China resolutely opposes official relations or contacts with Taiwan by any countries that have diplomatic ties with China.

However, Zhu added that China does not object economic and cultural exchanges with Taiwan by those countries, which are people-to-people in nature.

On bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Zhu said that the trade relations have been developing rapidly, and that China is willing to work with Qatar to explore effective ways of strengthening bilateral economic, technological, and labor cooperation.

China welcomes Qatar entrepreneurs to come and see the investment environment in China and conduct cooperation of various forms, the premier said.

Abdullah thanked for the warm hospitality from the Chinese side. Qatar has maintained friendly political relations with China and hopes that economic cooperation would also be reinforced, he said.

He stressed that Qatar is steadfast in its support to China on the human rights issue, and such a stance will never change. Qatar also appreciates the wise position of the Chinese government over the Taiwan issue and has always believed that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, he noted.

The two prime ministers also exchanged views on bilateral cooperation in energy and other fields.

Prior to the talks, Zhu presided over a welcome ceremony in honor of Abdullah, who arrived in Beijing Sunday evening for a 4-day official visit.

After the talks, they also attended a signing ceremony of relevant cooperative documents and contracts.