China has pledged to forge closer ties with its Asian neighbours and countries in Europe.

The message was conveyed during Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan's separate meetings on Saturday with his counterparts from a range of countries. These included Viet Nam, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, the Netherlands, Finland and Austria, all of which give Tang a positive response.

According to sources with the Chinese Foreign Ministry, both Tang and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien highlighted the principles set out in 1999 to develop a long-term co-operative relationship.

When meeting Filipino Vice-President and Foreign Minister, Teofisto Guingona, Tang said he hoped that the two sides will develop beneficial political co-operation.

While Tang offered to continue providing the Philippines with technical support in agriculture and encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in the country, Guingona suggested that the two sides link up to crack down on cross-border crime. The two foreign ministers reaffirmed that they will seek a peaceful resolution to the existing issues between the two countries.

Tang, during his meeting with the minister of foreign affairs and trade of the Republic of Korea, Han Seung-soo, called for the early resumption of dialogue between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the United States.

China will continue to play a constructive role in the peace process on the Korean Peninsula, Tang was quoted as saying by Foreign Ministry sources.

Han stressed his country will follow the policy adopted since President Kim Dae-jung took office and highly appreciated China's positive role in promoting the peace process.

The six foreign ministers were in Beijing to attend the Third ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) Foreign Ministers' Meeting last Thursday and Friday.

Dutch Foreign Minister Jozias Van Aartsen, noting the increasingly important role of Asian and European countries in the international political and economic arena, told Tang that the two continents should enhance contact.

Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner spoke highly of China's role in international affairs, according to sources with the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja said Finland supports China's early accession to the World Trade Organization.

(China Daily 05/28/2001)