Jiang: Multi-polarization Conducive to World Peace and Stability

Chinese President Jiang Zemin said Thursday in Santiago that multi-polarization is conducive to the establishment of a new international political and economic order, world peace and stability.

Jiang made the remarks in his talk with Chilean President Ricardo Lagos Escobar.

Jiang said that the world is now going towards multi- polarization. "This is a demand for progress of our time for it can meet the aspirations of the overwhelming majority of countries and people worldwide."

Jiang said the world is a colorful one. "With about 200 countries and six billion peoples in this world, with a wide variety of historic traditions, economic levels, political systems, ethnic features, religions, cultures and education, it can hardly be imagined that a single norm or value can govern all," he said.

The Chinese leader stressed that matters within each country's state sovereignty should be handled by the country itself, while matters in the world should be resolved through consultation among all nations.

Jiang highly commended the momentum of developing countries in safeguarding their own interests, saying that such a force is important for the advance of the multi-polarization process and the establishment of a just and rational international political and economic order.

Logos agreed with Jiang's remarks during their talks.

Jiang arrived here earlier today for a three-day state visit as guest of President Lagos.

Lagos Speaks Highly of Jiang's Visit To Chile

Chilean President Ricardo Lagos Escoba Thursday spoke highly of Chinese President Jiang Zemin's state visit to his country, saying that it was an honor to his country that President Jiang made Chile the first-leg of his six-nation Latin American tour.

Lagos made the remark while meeting the press after his talk with Jiang, who arrived here earlier today for a three-day state visit.

The Chilean president said the signing of three documents by the two sides will further increase the technological cooperation, the conservation of cultural heritages and the promotion of rural economic development of the two nations.

On bilateral trade and economic ties, Lagos said the past years have witnessed rapid growth in trade, noting that China is currently Chile's fifth largest trade partner, while Chile is China's second largest trade partner in Latin America.

The signing of a document concerning agricultural cooperation will open new fields for the two countries to develop trade, he said.

Lagos also said that he had accepted President Jiang's invitation for the informal leadership meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) scheduled for the coming fall in Shanghai.

Three Cooperative Documents

China and Chile signed Thursday three documents to boost cooperation in agriculture, culture and seismic forecasting.

Chilean President Ricardo Lagos Escobar, and Chinese President Jiang Zemin, who is on a state visit to Chile, attended the signing ceremony after they held formal talks.

The seismological bureaus of the two countries signed a bilateral cooperative agreement. Agricultural ministries signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in rural economic development. The two nations also signed a pact on protecting and regaining cultural properties.

Jiang kicked off his visit to Chile earlier today. He will also visit Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Cuba and Venezuela.






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