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 | Tuesday, April 25, 2000, updated at 10:30(GMT+8) | ||||||||||||
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Jiang, Stephanopoulos Exchange Views on Political, Economic IssuesPresident Jiang Zemin called for Greek enterprises to seek co-operative opportunities April 21 when meeting with Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos. Jiang arrived in Athens after concluding his visit to Turkey.Jiang said that China is willing to explore new fields in economic and trade co-operation with Greece. Relations between China and Greece have expanded markedly over the past several years in economic and political areas. By June 1999, Greece had invested in 18 projects in China. The total amount of the contractual investment was US$27 million, with US$2.13 million already invested. The trade volume reached US$205 million from January to July last year. Shipping dominates Sino-Greek economic and technological co-operation. In recent years, Greek shipping companies had 100 vessels repaired in China annually and purchased an increasing number of ships from China each year. China contracted US$4 million of marine caergo shipping service on a yearly basis and 500 Chinese sailors serve in Greek shipping companies. Both sides agree that there is great potential between China and Greece for further bilateral trade and economic co-operation. Jiang said that China and Greece, as the successors to ancient civilizations in the East and West, share broad common interests. Praising Jiang's visit, Stephanopoulos noted that Greece is pleased to see the remarkable progress made in China's construction under the leadership of Jiang and his government. Turning to political relations, both leaders confirmed that Greece and China have identical or similar views on many world issues, including Kosovo, insisting that the relevant United Nations' resolutions should be implemented to the letter. Greece, as a member of NATO, opposed NATO's bombing in Yugoslavia and now faces the mounting problem of helping refugees from Yugoslavia. Jiang also met with Greek Prime Minister Constantinos Simitis and held in-depth talks on regional and international issues. On the Taiwan question, Jiang said that China will never permit any form of "Taiwan independence," adding that "one China" is the fundamental policy. Jiang said that the central government is willing to exchange views with any party, group and individuals who adhere to the one-China policy. Simitis said that the Taiwan question can be settled based on "one country, two systems," which has proved successful in Hong Kong and Macao. During an interview with China Daily prior to Jiang's visit, President Costis Stephanopoulos voiced his confidence in closer ties with China in the future. Bilateral relations have developed remarkably in the past decade, noticeably on issues of vital mutual interest, and bringing closer economic and cultural ties, observed Stephanopoulos. He said that Greece may further increase its exports to China in agricultural products, pharmaceuticals and machinery equipment.
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