����BEIJING, January 9 (Xinhuanet) -- The friendship between China
andYugoslavia has remained strong despite changes in international and
regional situations and in both countries over the past decades.
����Chinese President Jiang Zemin made the remark during his talks with
visiting Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica in Beijing Wednesday.
����Jiang said the Sino-Yugoslav relations can withstand the test of
time for three reasons. First, both countries respect each other and
cherish their friendship. Second, they have no conflictsof interest or
lingering problems, and cooperation for mutual benefit is conducive to
both sides. Finally, they each strictly adhere to the principles of total
equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal
affairs.
����Jiang pointed out it is the unalterable policy of the Chinese
government to develop long-term, stable and friendly relations of
cooperation between China and Yugoslavia.
����He said China respects Yugoslavia's choice of development path and
foreign policy, adding that China understands the efforts Yugoslavia has
made to become involved in the integration of Europe.
����He highly praised the efforts made by the Yugoslav government to
realize national reconciliation, reconstruct its economy, strengthen
international cooperation, pursue a good-neighborly policy and seek a
political resolution of the Kosovo issue.
����Jiang also said he was pleased to see the achievements of the
Yugoslav government in both internal and international affairs. He
expressed the belief that the Yugoslav government and people have the
ability and wisdom to properly resolve the problems they are facing.
����Kostunica said his visit to China will help usher in an new eraof
bilateral relations. He said the two countries think alike on major
issues.
����He reiterated that the Yugoslav government will continue to adhere
to the "One China" stance.
����After the talks, the presidents signed a joint statement between
the governments of the two countries and attended the signing ceremony of
two documents on economic and technical cooperation. Enditem
