Chinese Vice President Meets Czech Defense Minister

Chinese Vice President Meets Czech Defense Minister

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Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao said that China expects to promote their existing friendly cooperation with Czech in the new century.

In a meeting with visiting Czech Defense Minister Vladimir Vetchy, Wednesday, Hu said China and Czech enjoy traditional friendship and the bilateral ties have been progressing since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1993.

Hu, also vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, said China appreciates the Czech government's adherence to the one-China position and the importance Czech attaches to its relationship with China.

He said that enhancing the friendly cooperation in various areas between the two countries not only conforms to the fundamental interests of the two peoples, but also facilitates the peace and stability in the world.

China is willing to work with Czech, on the basis of the five principles of peaceful co-existence, to ensure the development of bilateral friendly cooperation on a stable and healthy track, Hu said.

He also briefed the guest on the Chinese government's principled position on the Taiwan issue.

Vetchy said that his current China trip has been fruitful. He said that his government wishes to continue to expand its friendly cooperation with China, especially in the areas of economy and national defense.

Speaking on the Taiwan issue, Vetchy said that the Czech government has stated on many occasions that it will never do anything that harms the complete reunification of China.