Chinese President Jiang Zemin said here Wednesday that China attaches importance to its relations with Colombia and is willing to push forward bilateral cooperation in the future.
In a meeting with Colombian Vice-President Gustavo Bell Lemus, Jiang said that he appreciates Bell's efforts to promote Sino- Colombian ties in the past years.
He said that the Colombian government has made unremitting efforts in promoting domestic peace and developing its economy in recent years, which has had positive results.
Jiang noted that Colombia, which practices an independent foreign policy, has been playing an active role in international affairs.
The relations between China and Colombia have been progressing steadily since the two countries forged diplomatic ties, Jiang said, adding that the two sides have maintained frequent exchange of high-level visits, and bilateral cooperation in various areas has also been expanding.
China and Colombia, both developing countries, hold the same or similar views on major international issues, and both countries regard the maintenance of world peace and stability as their common goals, said Jiang.
Speaking on his Latin-American tour not long ago, Jiang said that strengthening the cooperation between China and Latin- American countries not only confirms to the fundamental interests of both sides, but also helps promote world peace and prosperity.
The relations between China and Latin American countries should be based on mutual understanding, equal treatment, further consultations, mutual support, mutual benefit, and common development, Jiang noted.
Bell said that the Colombian government also attaches great importance to its relations with China. He added that Colombia is glad to see cooperation keeps increasing between the two countries in various areas.
He said that he agrees with Jiang on the point that both countries hold the same or similar views and positions on major international issues.
Colombia advocates the multipolarization of the world, because it confirms to the interests of all peoples in the world, Bell said.
He said that Colombia expects to strengthen its cooperation with China in the international arena.
Bell spoke highly of China's economic achievements, saying China has preserved and developed its unique traditional culture while learning from other cultures.
Facts show that China's development road is correct, Bell said, adding that he believes China will have a bright future.
(xinhua 06/06/2001)
