Chinese President Jiang Zemin held talks Monday afternoon with Belarussian President Alexander Grigorievich Lukashenko in the Great Hall of the People.

While extending a warm welcome to Lukashenko, Jiang spoke highly of Lukashenko's contribution to the development of Sino-Belarus ties.

In the past nine years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, their bilateral relations have witnessed steady and healthy progress, leaders of two countries have exchanged frequent visits and the two sides have expanded exchanges and cooperation in trade, science and technology, education, culture and sports, Jiang said.

Since 1992, the trade volume between the two countries has seen a sustained increase, surpassing 100 million US dollars last year, Jiang noted, saying, "We are very optimistic about the prospects for the relations between our two countries."

Jiang also pointed out that the two countries have reached a consensus and share interests in many major international and regional issues, noting that both countries support the progress of a multi-polar world, actively participate in the establishment of a just and reasonable new international political and economic order and are in favor of safeguarding global strategic stability and international peace and security.

Jiang said that the joint statement to be signed after the talks by the two leaders is a significant event in the development of bilateral ties and is sure to add impetus to the development of bilateral relations.

Jiang reiterated China's principled stance concerning bilateral ties: First, China is willing to develop a long-term, mutually cooperative and friendly relationship of high mutual trust with Belarus; secondly, China respects Belarus's efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty and dignity, and opposes interference in the internal affairs of Belarus by any country upon any excuse; thirdly, China continues to enhance cooperation with Belarus in a number of fields, such as trade, science and technology.

Jiang also extended his thanks to Lukashenko for Belarus's adherence to one-China policy and its support for China on the issue of human rights.

Lukashenko expressed his thanks to the Chinese government and people, saying that Belarus and China share views on many major international issues.

Belarus opposes interference in the internal affairs of other countries upon any excuse, including that of human rights, said Lukashenko, noting that both countries uphold the principle of safeguarding national sovereignty and independence.

The Belarussian president also spoke highly of the current development of bilateral relations, hoping for further promotion of bilateral cooperation in trade, education, science and technology.

The two leader also exchanged views on other international and regional issues.

After the talks, the two leaders signed the China-Belarus Joint Statement, and other officials from the two countries signed agreements on the protection of property rights, and financial and judicial cooperation.

Prior to the talks, Jiang presided over a welcoming ceremony for Lukashenko.

(Xinhua 04/23/2001)