China and Montenegro yesterday inked a joint communiqué establishing diplomatic ties.

 

"The establishment of China-Montenegro diplomatic ties is a significant event in the history of bilateral relations," said Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, following the signing of the joint communiqué by Li and his Montenegrin counterpart Miodrag Vlahovic.?

 

Montenegro is the 168th country to establish diplomatic relations with China.

 

China and Montenegro, in line with the interests and desire of the two peoples, have decided to establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level as from July 2006, according to the communiqué.?

 

The two countries agreed to develop friendship and cooperation on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence.?

 

China respects the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Montenegro.?

 

"Montenegro recognizes that there is but one China in the world," the communiqué states. "The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory."

 

Montenegro opposes "Taiwan independence" of any form and opposes Taiwan's accession to any international or regional organization whose membership applies only to sovereign states.?

 

Montenegro vows not to establish official relations of any form or have any official exchanges with Taiwan.

 

China and Montenegro agree to provide each other with all the necessary assistance for the establishment and performance of the functions of their respective embassies on the basis of equality and mutual benefit and in accordance with international practice.

 

"The communiqué spells out the common aspiration of the two peoples and conforms to their fundamental interests," Li said in a meeting with Vlahovic. "It lays a solid foundation for China-Montenegro relations in the new era."

 

"We thank Montenegro for its opposition to 'Taiwan independence' of any form and Taiwan's accession to any international or regional organization accessible only to sovereign states," Li said.

 

Vlahovic appreciated China's prompt recognition of Montenegro's independence.

 

Hailing China's vital role in international affairs, Vlahovic said Montenegro would like to develop mutually beneficial cooperation with China in various fields.

 

The Chinese government announced its recognition of Montenegro's sovereignty and independence on June 14.

 

Montenegro was admitted as the 192nd member of the UN on June 28.

 

Montenegrin Parliament Speaker Ranko Krivokapic declared the independence of Montenegro on June 3 after its parliament ratified the results of an independence referendum held on May 21.

 

The declaration ended Montenegro's long-time union with Serbia that was established in 1918.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 7, 2006)