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On June 17, 2002, President Jiang Zemin and
Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus held a formal talk at
the President's Residence. The two sides exchanged opinions
on the further development of bilateral relations and
current major international and regional issues of common
concern.
Adamkus said that this is the first
time for a Chinese head of state to visit Lithuania and they
welcome President Jiang for his visit. He added that
Lithuania has always had the understanding and support of
the Chinese people since it regained its independence. The
Lithuanian side firmly believed that Jiang's visit will
promote cooperation between both countries in various fields
and represent a milestone in bilateral relations.
Jiang made a positive comment on the development of
bilateral relations in the past decade since the
establishment of diplomatic ties. He attributed the smooth
development of bilateral relations to the fact that the two
countries develop their friendly cooperation on the
principles of respecting each other's social system,
cultural tradition and values, and mutual respect,
non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality
and mutual benefits. Jiang said that China will make further
efforts to push forward the overall friendly and mutually
beneficial relations and cooperation with Lithuania on the
basis of the five principles of peaceful co-existence.
The two presidents had an in-depth discussion
on the further expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation.
Jiang said that China is willing to make joint efforts to
push cooperation between the two countries to a higher
level. He suggested the two governments should support and
encourage their enterprises to establish direct contacts and
proposed that two countries start negotiations as early as
possible on signing cooperation agreements on civil
aviation, customs and tourism cooperation to improve the
legal framework on bilateral relations. He also said that
both sides should expand cooperation in the areas
of education, culture and journalism to deepen mutual
understanding and friendship between the two peoples and
should strengthern consultation in international affairs.
Adamkus said he agreed with Jiang's
proposals.
Jiang briefed Adamkus on the
economic and social development in China and the policies
and measures adopted in order to strengthen environmental
protection while developing the economy. Adamkus said that
China is currently implementing right policies and has
achieved remarkable success. The two sides also exchanged
views on international and regional
situation.
Following the meeting, the two
presidents attended the signing ceremony of the Extradition
Treaty between the two countries and met the press together.
Adamkus stressed that Jiang's visit is crowned
with success and the leaders of the two sides exchanged
in-depth views on further expanding mutually beneficial
cooperation. He said that his country would work with China
to promote bilateral relations to a higher level. Jiang said
that one look is worth a thousand words. He was
deeply impressed by the Lithuanian people's achievements in
their economic construction and their friendly feelings
towards the Chinese people. Through mutual
exchanges, the leaders of both countries have
increased understanding and discussed in an in-depth way the
promotion of friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation in
the times to come. He firmly believed that China-Lithuania
relations have broad prospects in the new century.
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