Chinese President Jiang Zemin had respective telephone
conversations with Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga and
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf Sunday night. Jiang exchanged
views with the two presidents on the fight against terrorism and
bilateral cooperation and elaborated China's principled stance on
fighting against terrorism and safeguarding world peace.
In
his talk with Pakistani president, Jiang described terrorism as a
common scourge for the international community, saying it poses a
threat to the peace and development of the whole world. He spoke
highly of Musharraf's firm stance on anti-terrorism, saying he
fully understands and respects the position Pakistan holds and the
measures it has taken. Jiang also said that China is a sincere
friend of Pakistan and will continue to enhance coordination and
cooperation with Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Jiang stressed that any anti-terror operation must be
conducted with conclusive evidence and concrete targets, and should
conform to the United Nations Charter tenet and principles and the
commonly acknowledged norms of international law. "This is also a
consensus reached by the international community."
Musharraf, on his part, agreed to Jiang's view, saying that the
decision of the Pakistani government to support anti-terror
operations has won the assent of the majority of the Pakistani
people.
The current situation has brought about difficulties to Pakistan's
economic development, and under such circumstances, Pakistan
sincerely hopes to continue exchanges and cooperation with the
international community, Musharraf said.
Jiang said this year marks the 50th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan, and
the two sides should make concerted efforts to move forward the
friendly bilateral relations.
In
the phone talk with Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga,
Jiang stressed that China, like Sri Lanka, is in favor of
international cooperation in combating terrorism and is willing to
continue its efforts in this respect.
China supports the efforts of the Sri Lankan government in
promoting national reconciliation and safeguarding national
unification, and sincerely hopes to see social stability and
economic development in Sri Lanka, Jiang said.
He
said China neighbors on South Asia and Afghanistan, and hopes that
all the problems the region encounters could finally be settled in
peaceful and just approaches.
China is willing to see various countries live in harmony and
develop side by side, Jiang added.
Kumaratunga, on her part, agreed to Jiang's view, and stressed that
Sri Lanka also firmly opposes terrorism.
She held that terrorism has its deep roots and anti-terrorism is a
long-term struggle. The international community should cooperate in
various fields and take concerted measures to combat international
terrorism.
(china.org.cn 10/01/2001)