China-Romania relations have been based on mutual respect, mutual understanding and mutual support for decades, President Jiang Zemin said in Beijing Friday.
Jiang made the remarks when meeting with Chairman of the Romanian Senate Nicolae Vacaroiu, who came to China on Sunday at the invitation of Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Jiang quoted a Romanian proverb as saying that "stones will remain for ever while water passes" to describe relations between the two countries.
The facts prove that bilateral relations will develop steadily and be injected with new vigor and vitality as long as the two sides keep to principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and non-interference in each other's domestic affairs, Jiang noted.
Vacaroiu's visit will give a major impetus to China-Romania relations, Jiang said, expressing his belief that the Romanian prime minister's upcoming visit to China will further promote bilateral relations, especially in economic and trade cooperation.
On the current international situation and basic development trend, he noted that peace and development are still main theme of the time, with global multipolarization further developing in an intricate way.
The peace and development of human kind, he noted, is also faced with numerous challenges and all countries should strengthen international cooperation.
China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with other countries including Romania, in an effort to build a world with lasting peace and extensive prosperity and a just and reasonable international new order, he said.
Vacaroiu conveyed cordial greetings from the Romanian President Ion Iliescu to President Jiang, and handed over a signed letter from Iliescu. Vacaroiu spoke highly of the friendly cooperation between the two countries, and thanked China for its support over the decades.
He expressed his wish to push forward all-round bilateral cooperation in economic and other fields.
President Jiang asked Vacaroiu to convey his greetings to President Iliescu, welcoming Iliescu once more to China.
( April 27, 2002)
