Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, April 14, 2002
Chinese President Starts State Visit to Libya
Chinese President Jiang Zemin Saturday flew into the Libyan capital of Tripoli from Hanover, Germany, kicking off his state visit to Libya, as guest of Libyan leader Muammar Ghaddafi.
Chinese President Jiang Zemin Saturday flew into the Libyan capital of Tripoli from Hanover, Germany, kicking off his state visit to Libya, as guest of Libyan leader Muammar Ghaddafi.
In a written statement issued upon his arrival, Jiang said that China values its friendship and cooperation with Libya and that his visit would serve to further promote the overall development of bilateral relations.
Although the two nations are far from each other geographically, bilateral contacts have never been stopped, he said, adding that in the past 24 years when the two forged diplomatic ties, the friendly relations of cooperation have continued to be promoted through joint efforts and in line with the five principles of peaceful co- existence.
When the human beings are entering into the new century, he said, China is ready to further explore friendly cooperative ties in various fields with Libya on the basis of mutual respect and benefit and equality.
During the visit, Jiang said he will exchange views with Ghaddafi over bilateral ties and other issues of common concern.
Also arriving by the special plane was Chinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen.
Right after the arrival, Ghaddafi hosted a ceremony to honor Jiang.
Libya is the second leg of Jiang's two-week five-nation trip, which will also take him to Nigeria, Tunisia and Iran.
Jiang has just concluded his state visit to Germany, which started last Monday, and is scheduled to leave for Nigeria on April 14.