Chinese Vice-Premier Holds Talks with Turkish Counterpart

China is ready to make joint efforts with Turkey to tap their cooperation potential and further promote their cooperative relations.

Chinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen made the remarks Monday while holding talks with visiting Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Devlet Bahceli.

The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations, and other regional and international issues of common concern, and reached abroad consensus.

Qian said the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries have achieved sustained development since they forged diplomatic ties, and the frequent exchanges of high-level visits in recent years also demonstrate the common aspiration of both sides to further consolidate and develop their bilateral ties.

Talking about their economic relations and trade, Qian said both sides should work hard to explore new means and spheres of cooperation, adding that China's Western Development Strategy is providing new opportunities for their cooperation.

Qian said the two nations' tourism cooperation has seen a good start, and he believed that, with efforts from both sides, the industry will have even brighter prospects.

Bahceli said Turkey attaches great importance to developing its ties with China, and is willing to strengthen their friendly cooperation in all fields on the basis of mutual respect, equality, reciprocity and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.

He expressed admiration for China's economic achievements brought about by its reform and opening-up policy, saying that Turkey also values China's role in the international community.

He stressed that Turkey has consistently adhered to the "One-China" principle and supported China's reunification.

He said the Turkish side thanked the Chinese side for its efforts to promote bilateral trade and investment, and pledged the willingness of Turkish entrepreneurs to actively participate in China's western development.

The two sides also exchanged views on international anti-terrorism efforts, Afghanistan and the Middle East situation.

After the talks, senior officials from both sides signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of construction.

The Turkish vice-premier started his China visit on May 26. Besides Beijing, he will visit Shanghai and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

(Xinhua News Agency May 28, 2002)