"We discovered new development in China," visiting Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase said Wednesday in Beijing.
 
Nastase, currently in China as a member of a Socialist International (SI) delegation, said in an interview that "this visit is to open a friendly channel with the Communist Party of China (CPC)," and will be a "landmark" for the SI to understand political life in China.

"We wish to have good and better understanding of the reality in China," said Nastase, expressing his hope that more people would visit China to witness the changes.

Antonio Guterres, SI president and former Portuguese Prime Minister, said the SI appreciates China's "remarkable progress in economic and social development," noting that the SI and the Chinese side share common consensus on many issues, and the SI is willing to strengthen constructive dialogue with the CPC.

He also noted that the SI will continue to support the one-China policy and oppose any words or actions aimed at splitting China.

Guterres said globalization is a driving force in increasing productivity and global trade, but it is also a factor widening the gap between the rich and the poor.

"We need a global view to overcome the present challenges," said Guterres, adding that developed countries must make room for the growth of developing countries, and developing countries must avoid the mistakes made by developed countries in their economic development.

The SI and the CPC also have some divergences in ideology, but those differences "can be discussed in an open way and will not hinder our cooperation," he added.

The SI, founded in 1864, is the world's largest association of political parties, grouping democratic socialist, labor and social democratic parties from every continent.
 
(People's Daily February 19, 2004)