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Jiang Makes Three-Point Proposal for Chinese-Chilean Ties
Visiting Chinese President Jiang Zemin Thursday put forward three-point proposal for boosting the Chinese-Chilean cooperation in all fields in the new century.
Jiang, who is on his first state visit to Chile, made the suggestions in his formal talks with Chilean President Ricardo Lagos Escobar.
To boost the bilateral ties in the long run on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, Jiang proposed that both China and Chile should maintain the high-level visits and contacts and expand exchanges in all areas and at all levels.
The Chinese President suggested that the two countries make use of international or multilateral occasion for exchanging views. Exchanges among political parties, parliaments and localities should also be encouraged, Jiang said.
The expansion of trade and scientific and technological cooperation is the second point made by Jiang. He considered China and Chile could increase mutual investment and explore new possibilities for economic cooperation.
He highly commended the already achieved results, saying that Chile is now China's second largest trade partner in Latin America and China held active attitude to boost bilateral trade.
On scientific and technological cooperation, Jiang said the two countries could learn from each other in such fields as agriculture, fishery and seismic forecasting.
Jiang's third point fell in the international arena. He said that the two countries can strengthen their cooperation in international affairs, in particular within the framework of the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) or the East Asia-Latin America Forum of Cooperation.
"China and Chile have maintained sound coordination and cooperation in the international affairs. We value and are willing to further enhance such coordination and cooperation for the buildup of a just and rational international political and economic order," Jiang said.
In response, Lagos hailed the current development of Chilean- Chinese ties. "Half of the Chilean cabinet attended today's talks, a sign that we are eager to exchange view on a wide range of issues with the Chinese side," Lagos said.
During the past 30 years after the two countries forged diplomatic relations, Lagos said, Chile and China have kept smooth dialogues. He hoped President Jiang's visit could lift bilateral ties up to a new level.
On economic and trade cooperation, Lagos hoped the future joint trade policy coordinative committee could play its due part. " Chile is ready to push our enterprises to invest in China and we welcome Chinese enterprises to do the same," he said.
Lagos said that scientific and technological, and cultural exchanges between the two countries would have bright future.
On international arena, he said that Chile and China shared similar or identical views on a number of major global issues, adding that Chile is willing to strengthen its coordination and cooperation with China in the United Nations, APEC and the World Trade Organization.
During the talks, Jiang reiterated China's principled stance on Taiwan issue and expressed appreciation for Chile's adherence to One-China policy. Lagos said Chile would firmly adopt the One-China policy.
Jiang was here for a three-day state visit.
Chilean President Fetes Jiang Zemin Chilean President Ricardo Lagos Escobar expressed his belief here Thursday evening that Chinese President Jiang Zemin's visit to his country will "bring fruitful results which will benefit the people of the two nations".
He made the remarks at a banquet in honor of Jiang, who is in Santiago on a three-day visit to Chile, the first-leg of his six- nation Latin American trip.
Lagos said that although the two countries are far away geographically, the friendship has linked the two peoples closely.
He pointed out that the bilateral relationship has made continuous progress since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1970 and the two nations have maintained traditional friendship.
The Chilean President said that the two nations have good ties in the trade field, which was increased markedly last year. Chile and China have also had good cooperation on international occasions, he added.
In his speech, Jiang spoke highly of great achievements scored by the Chilean people in safeguarding national independence, developing economy and promoting social progress in the 20th century.
He expressed his belief that the Chilean people, under the leadership of President Lagos ,will make more achievements.
Jiang said that China and Chile, although far away geographically, are combined closely by the common goal of safeguarding world peace, defending national sovereignty, developing national economy and improving people's living standard.
Over the past 30 years since 1970 when the two countries set up diplomatic relations, Jiang said, the bilateral ties have witnessed marked development with the frequent mutual visits by the high level of the two nations, the increase of exchanges and cooperation in the political, economic and trade, cultural and scientific fields and good cooperation in the regional and world affairs.
"The relations between the two nations are in its best period of history," Jiang stressed.
Jiang said that the Chinese government is willing to work with the Chilean government to open up new chapters of friendship and cooperation and lift the bilateral relations to a new level.
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