Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao
Friday held talks with New Zealand, Vietnamese and
Singaporean?leaders who are also attending the 12th Economic
Leaders Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC),
scheduled on Nov. 20-21.
In the meeting with New Zealand's Prime Minister Helen Elizabeth
Clark, President Hu called for early start of China-New Zealand
free trade agreement negotiations so as to inject new vigor to
bilateral cooperation.
Hu said China attaches importance of Sino-New Zealand relations
and is willing to strengthen bilateral comprehensive cooperative
ties. Both countries should expand cooperation on an equal footing,
enhance mutual trust based on mutual respect in the political
field, the Chinese president added.
Hu urged both countries to tap their potentials and open up new
areas of economic and trade cooperation.
The Chinese president said the Sino-New Zealand relations
maintained good momentum of development in recent years, with
increasing exchanges of high-level visits, deepened mutual
understanding and new progresses in economic and trade
cooperation.
On international and regional affairs, Hu said, China and New
Zealand should continuously increase communication, coordination
and cooperation, and jointly strive to contribute to peace and
development of the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.
Hu also appreciated the New Zealand government's adherence to
One-China policy.
Clark described the smooth conclusion of feasibility study on
New Zealand-China free trade agreement as "encouraging sign". New
Zealand is willing to launch relevant negotiations as quick as
possible, the prime minister said.
Clark reiterated the New Zealand government's adherence to
One-China policy, regarding the separatist activities concerning
"Taiwan independence" as unstable factors across the Taiwan
Strait.
Both leaders also exchanged views on further promote bilateral
cooperation and coordination within the APEC framework and other
issues of mutual concern.
During the meeting with Vietnamese counterpart Tran Duc Luong,
President Hu expressed China's consistent support for Vietnam's
early entry into the World Trade Organization.
Hu said bilateral relations, guided by the principles of
long-term stability, orientation towards the future,
good-neighborly friendship and all-around cooperation, have
progressed soundly. The two countries have maintained frequent
exchanges of high-level visits, with smooth development of
bilateral cooperation in various fields, he added.
The two countries' land border demarcation is progressing
smoothly while the two agreements on Beibu Gulf are under
implementation, the Chinese president noted.
China attaches great importance to the development of
Sino-Vietnamese relations, and places it on an important position
of China's neighboring diplomacy. China is willing to work together
with Vietnam to push forward bilateral ties to a new stage, Hu
added.
Both economies of China and Vietnam are highly complementary, Hu
noted, adding that both governments should encourage their
enterprises to expand cooperation in the sectors of trade, energy,
industry and infrastructure construction.?
The Vietnamese president reaffirmed Hanoi's willingness to
further strengthen cooperation with China in various fields. Hanoi
will work together with the Chinese side to advance bilateral
friendly cooperation in an all-around fashion, said the Vietnamese
president.
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong reiterated Singaporean
government's adherence to the "One China" policy and opposition to
"Taiwan Independence" during his meeting with Chinese President Hu
Jintao.
President Hu said that he appreciated Singapore's stance.
He says the Taiwan question is at the core of China's national
interests and that China's sovereignty and core interests should be
respected.
President Hu will also meet with US President George W. Bush,
Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro on the sideline of the
APEC summit meeting.
(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2004)