President Hu Jintao said in Beijing Tuesday that China appreciates Jamaica's adherence to the one-China policy and its support to China on issues concerning Taiwan.  

Hu made the remark during a meeting with visiting Prime Minister of Jamaica Percival Noel James Patterson in the Great Hall of the People Tuesday afternoon.

Hu spoke highly of the development of relations between China and Jamaica, saying that Sino-Jamaican relations have entered a new stage of development.

Hu said that since the two countries established diplomatic relations 33 years ago, they have conducted frequent exchange of visits by high-ranking officials, achieved rich results in trade and economic cooperation and maintained good cooperation on regional and international affairs.

Hu expressed the belief that as the two sides continue to implement a whole series of cooperative documents they signed, they will promote mutually beneficial cooperation.

Hu also appreciates the great amount of work Jamaica has done for the success of the second South Summit held in Doha, Qatar last week. Jamaica currently chairs the Group of 77, an organization of developing countries for the promotion of South-South cooperation. Hu spoke highly of the active role that the G77 plays in strengthening South-South cooperation, realizing the Millennium Goal of Development and pushing forward the establishment of a new international political and economic order.

Patterson agreed with Hu's comment on bilateral relations. He reiterated that the Jamaican government will continue to stick to the one-China policy.

Patterson said the signing of a series of cooperative agreements in February marked the beginning of a new era of development in relations.

He said the current visit is aimed to implement these documents and push for new progress in bilateral relations and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Patterson noted that China is a country of important influence in the international community. He said Jamaica is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China to jointly make contributions to maintaining world and regional peace and promoting common development.

During his three-leg tour to China from June 19 to 24, Patterson will also visit Shanghai and Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

(Xinhua News Agency June 22, 2005)