China and the island country of Fiji agreed on Tuesday to establish and strengthen the "Chinese-Fijian cooperative partnership."

Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Fijian counterpart, Laisenia Qarase, held talks in the wake of Wen's arrival in Nadi, a tourist resort in Fiji, and announced the decision in a joint press statement that agreement had been reached to promote long term and healthy development of  bilateral relations in the 21st century.

Other achievements gained from the talks include Fiji's recognition of China's full market economy status and the formation of a joint economic and trade committee.

Despite the geographical distance between the two countries Premier Wen described the Chinese -Fijian relationship as "a model" between China and island countries.

Wen is the first Chinese head of government to visit such islands in the Pacific Ocean while Fiji is the first among the tiny island nations to establish diplomatic ties with China.

"Both in the Asia-Pacific region and in the category of developing countries there is basis and need for us to enhance bilateral ties," he told Qarase.

China will continue to develop ties with Fiji and support its efforts to develop the national economy, maintain social stability and promote the interests of island countries in the international arena, he said.

Qarase expressed satisfaction with the growth of bilateral ties and thanked China for the unselfish assistance to Fiji with its socio-economic development.

One topic covered in the talks was the Taiwan issue. Wen said the subject was closely related to China's core interests. "The one-China principle is the political foundation of Chinese-Fijian relations and a key to ensuring the further growth of bilateral ties," he said. He added that China appreciated Fiji's adherence to the one China policy and opposition to "Taiwan Independence."

Qarase reiterated that the Fijian government supported the one China policy and recognized the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole, legitimate government representing the whole of China includingTaiwan. 

Fiji opposed any attempt to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan", and "Taiwan Independence", he said. Fiji would not have official contact with Taiwan and they would honor  these principles, he added.

After the talks the two governments signed a number of cooperative documents. Wen and Qarase attended the signing ceremony.

Fiji is the second-leg of Wen's four-nation tour which includes New Zealand and Cambodia. He flew to Fiji after concluding his visit to Australia earlier Tuesday.

Following is the full text of the joint communique:

Joint Press Communique Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of the Fiji Islands 

1. At the invitation of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase of the Republic of the Fiji Islands, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council of the People's Republic of China paid an official visit to the Republic of the Fiji Islands on April 4-5, 2006. During his visit, Premier Wen Jiabao met with President Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda and had talks with Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest and reached extensive agreement.

2. Leaders of both countries expressed their satisfaction with the substantial progress achieved in the bilateral relationship since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1975. They pointed out that the growth of Chinese-Fijian relations had brought real benefits to the two countries and peoples and contributed to peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region.

Leaders of both countries reviewed the 1975 Joint Communique between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Fiji on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Fiji, the 2002 Joint Statement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of the Fiji Islands on Consolidating and Promoting Friendly Relations and Cooperation and the 2004 Joint Press Communique between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of the Fiji Islands. They agreed that the three documents were important in guiding the future development of Chinese-Fijian relations and expressed their resolve to continue to observe the guidelines and principles of these documents.

3. To promote long term and healthy development of China-Fiji relations in the 21st century, leaders of both countries decided to establish and strengthen "China-Fiji important cooperative partnership", respect each other politically, carry out mutually beneficial cooperation economically and support and closely cooperate with each other in international and regional affairs. To enrich the "China-Fiji important cooperative partnership", the two sides agreed to strengthen high-level exchanges and enhance mutual political trust, step up mutually beneficial economic cooperation based on their comparative strengths to promote sustainable development for both countries and enhance communication and cooperation on international and regional issues.

4. The two sides were satisfied with the agreements on trade, economic and technical cooperation, quality inspection and telecommunications signed during the visit. The Fiji side considered China a WTO member committed to market economy and recognized China's full market economy status. The Chinese side appreciated Fiji's position in this regard. The two sides supported and encouraged their enterprises to carry out mutually beneficial cooperation in diverse forms in fishery, forestry, tourism and agriculture and promote steady growth of bilateral economic and trade relations.

5. The Fiji side reiterated their commitment to developing the closest degree of friendship and cooperation with the People's Republic of China. It reaffirmed its adherence to respect for national sovereignty, non-interference in internal domestic affairs, peaceful resolution of disputes and mutual assistance and support in economic and social development as the guiding principles in Fiji-China relations.

The Fiji side reiterated its government's commitment to the one-China policy, recognizing the Government of the People's Republic of China as the only legal government representing the whole of China and Taiwan as a part of China. The Fiji side was opposed to any attempt to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan", to "Taiwan independence" and to Taiwan's participation in international and regional organizations that are only open to sovereign states. The only relations Fiji will maintain with Taiwan are in the promotion of unofficial economic and commercial ties.

6. The Chinese side reiterated their respect and support for the active efforts by the Fiji Government to develop the economy and improve the people's lives. It expressed the hope that Fiji would achieve economic growth, maintain ethnic harmony, ensure peace and prosperity for its people and contribute to the stability and prosperity of the region.

7. The two sides expressed satisfaction with their coordination and cooperation in international and regional organizations like the United Nations, the World Health Organization and the Pacific Islands Forum and agreed to further strengthen their ties in the interests of maintaining regional stability and promoting common development.

Released in Nadi, Fiji on 4 April 2006.

(Xinhua News Agency April 5, 2006)