Extracts.
Sino-Lao Friendly Relations and Cooperation Develop in All-around and
Steady Way
At the invitation of Khamtay Siphandone, chairman of the Lao People's
Democratic Republic, Chinese president Jiang Zemin will pay a state visit
to the country between November 11 and 13.
The visit, which is the first-ever call by a Chinese head of state to the
country and the most important and historic one by a top Chinese leader to
the country at the turn of the century, will further develop the Sino-Lao
friendly and good-neighborly relations and cooperation in an all-around and
steady way, enhancing the long-term and stable bilateral tie, and mutual
trust in the new century.
During recent years, China and Laos, which are closely-linked by common
mountains and rivers and have been keeping a profound traditional
friendship since the ancient times, have made frequent exchange of visits
between high-ranking officials from both sides.
The visits have laid a solid political foundation for further promoting the
Sino-Lao friendly relations and cooperation in everyaspects.
Laos has long stuck to the policy of "inheriting and developing an
all-around, friendly and cooperative relations between two parties, two
countries and two peoples" towards China, meanwhile China has always been
taking efforts to enhance the bilateral ties of good neighborliness,
friendship and cooperation.
The two countries have gained support, experiences and references from each
other during the reform and opening-up process in China and a similar cause
in Laos.
With the successful settlement of the border demarcation between the two
countries in 1992, the Sino-Lao frontier has seen the increasing exchange
of visits between citizens from both countries and become a peaceful and
friendly boundary.
In international affairs, the two countries always maintain close
coordination and cooperation and take concerted actions. For example, the
Laos has been insisting the "One China" policy on the Taiwan issue and
actively supporting the reunification course of China.
However, as for economic relations, the bilateral trade which is conducted
mostly in border areas, is still lagging behind in volume, and has been
affected by the Asian crisis. Under joint efforts, now the bilateral trade
has returned to normal level.
In three northern Lao provinces near Chinese border, namely Phongsali,
Oudomsay and Luang Namtha, the bilateral trade is active and cross-border
visits are frequent, promoting the prosperity and development in the border
areas of both countries.
According to figures presented by the Committee for Lao-Chinese
Cooperation, from 1989 to September, Chinese firms have invested in 74 Lao
projects with a total value of US$ 997 million among which 49 are pure
Chinese investments, the rest are joint ventures. Most of the projects now
are in good condition.
Meanwhile, during 1992-2000 period, China have offered Laos with
considerable amount of non-interest and low-interest loans, and donations.
The Wan Vien Cement Factory, a project constructed wholly under Chinese
assistance, can best illustrate the fruits of Sino-Lao friendship and
cooperation in economic sectors. After the first phase of the project
completed in 1995, for the first time in history, Laos eventually
manufactured cement products by itself.
The factory now can produce 80,000 tons of cement annually. Lao cement
output is expected to increase to 200,000 tons per annum when the second
stage project finished, which will largely relieve the country from being
heavily dependent on the imports of cement and other construction materials
and help the country to save tens of millions of foreign reserves.
As for cultural exchange, China now provides scholarship for 55 Lao
students every year. This year, about 100 Lao high-level officials will
receive training in China, which will enhance their working abilities in
respective careers.
The Lao National Cultural Palace, a China-assisted cultural project, has
been formally transferred to Lao government in March, which will become a
vivid milestone for the achievement of Sino-Lao cultural exchange.
A Lao delegation has attended the Expo 99 in the Chinese southwestern city
of Kumming and won several rewards, which enhanced bilateral ties on
culture and arts. Besides, the art and cultural organizations from both
countries are keeping frequent exchange of opinions and visits.
Boualay Phongsa, vice president of the Committee for Lao-Chinese
Cooperation, told Xinhua in a recent interview that, no matter in terms of
quantities or real economic benefits, the economic and trade cooperation
between the two countries still have huge potential.
"We have the all conditions and abilities to further develop the potential,
to make greater achievements in the friendly cooperation between two
countries," he said.
Jiang's visit, which is to be paid at a time when the ruling Lao People's
Revolutionary Party, Lao government and the people are preparing for the
opening of the party's 7th general assembly and celebrations of the 25th
anniversary of the founding of the Lao People's Democratic Republic
(December 2), will further strengthen the existing close ties between the
two countries, he stressed.
****
China Working Actively for Easing Tension in Middle East China is now
working actively along with other members of the international community to
ease the tension in the Middle East and to seek an early just and fair
resolution to the Middle East issue, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhu
Bangzao said on November 9.
Zhu said at a regular press conference that Chinese Foreign Minister Tang
Jiaxuan has sent a letter to Secretary-General Kofi Annan of the United
Nations, expounding China's views on regional issues.
Deputy Foreign Minister Ji Peiding met Wednesday with China- stationed
diplomats from the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council,
the United States, France, Russia and Britain.
On Friday, Tang and Ji will meet on separate occasions envoys from the Arab
world and Israeli ambassador to China to brief them on China's stance on
the Middle East peace talks. They will also ask the diplomats to convey the
Chinese government's stance to their respective governments.
The spokesman stressed that as a permanent member of the UN Security
Council, China will continue to make efforts for the resolution of the
Middle East issue.
****
Wednesday, November 08, 2000, updated at 22:17(GMT+8)
CPC Supervises Cadre Selection in Departments
The Organization Department of the Communist Party of
China (CPC) Central Committee will dispatch teams to
supervise cadre selection in central party and
government departments.
The CPC Organization Department had earlier issued a
set of temporary regulations on the selection and
appointment of cadres. The supervision teams will
examine whether the central departments abide by the
regulation.
The examination will involve Ministries of education,
finance, railway and civil affairs, as well as the
People's Bank of China, and the General
Administration of Customs.
Leading officials in central departments are
important to the cause of CPC and the nation, an
official with the organization department said.
The organization department will continue to arrange
routine supervision endeavors next year, especially
in key organizations.
Earlier the department has organized such checks in
localities.
****
Thursday, November 09, 2000, updated at 11:26(GMT+8)
Venezuelan President Reaffirms Sticking to One-China
Policy
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez reaffirmed November
8 Venezuela adheres to its one-China principle and
supports China's policy of "peaceful reunification"
and "one country, two systems" on the Taiwan issue.
Chavez made this reaffirmation when accepting
credentials from new Chinese Ambassador to Venezuela
Wang Zhen. Chavez also expressed Venezuela's support
for China's stance on the Taiwan and human rights
issues.
During the talks, Chavez highlighted the increasing
cooperation between Venezuela and China which has
been based on common goals and interests. The
president also foresaw broader prospects for
bilateral relations and cooperation in international
issues.
****
Thursday, November 09, 2000, updated at 09:55(GMT+8)
Premier Hails West-east Electricity Transmission
Premier Zhu Rongji extended his congratulations to
the starting of the country's ambitious west-east
electricity transmission project that was unveiled
November 8 in Guiyang, Guizhou Province.
Zhu said in his congratulation letter that the
project is one of the key projects in the Strategy of
Developing the West and arduous efforts should be
made to realize the goal of transmitting 10 million
kw of electricity to south China's Guangdong Province
by 2005.
The project will play an important role in promoting
both the resource-rich western China and the
energy-short coastal areas, said Zhu. The project
also formally unveiled the beginning of western
development, Zhu noted.
Construction of the Hongjiadu Hydropower Station, the
Yinzidu Hydropower Station, and the expansion of the
Wujiangdu Hydropower Station started Wednesday
morning on the Wujiang River, in southwest China's
Guizhou Province.
The projects are the first group of projects to
constitute part of China's massive west-east
electricity transmission project, marking the
beginning of the development of the western region.
At the same time, construction of three electricity
transmission lines and a thermal power station in
Yunnan also started.
The seven projects, covering Yunnan, Guizhou and
Hubei provinces, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and
Chongqing Municipality, will form the south route of
the west-east electricity transmission project,
sending electricity to the south China power grid.
The north route will transmit electricity through
Inner Mongolia Autonomous region and Shaanxi Province
to the north China power grid,
and the third route will travel through Sichuan and
other provinces sending electricity to central and
east China power grids.
Guizhou has water energy resources of 16.4 million
kilowatts and perspective coal reserves of 240
billion tons.
Wujiang River is the biggest tributary on the
southern bank of the Yangtze River, the longest river
in China. China plans to build ten hydropower
stations on the river, of which, nine are located in
Guizhou Province.
The three projects, which started Wednesday on the
Wujiang River, have a combined power capacity of 1.49
million kilowatts and have
an investment of 7.3 billion yuan (879 million $US).
By 2005, the installed power-generating capacity will
reach thirteen million kW, thus laying a solid
foundation for the west-east lectricity transmission
project.
Zhang Guobao, vice minister of State Development
Planning Commission,
and other senior officials from the Central
Government and Guizhou Province attended Wednesday's
project starting ceremony.
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