China and Grenada agreed yesterday to resume diplomatic ties in a step that will put the bilateral relationship on a new footing.

Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and visiting Grenadian counterpart Elvin Nimrod signed a joint communique to that effect in Beijing.

Li said he appreciated the Grenadian Government's decision to resume diplomatic relations, saying it accords with the fundamental interests of the people of the two countries.

"The two sides have agreed to resume diplomatic relations based on the United Nations Charter and the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence," he said.

The Chinese Government cut off diplomatic ties with Grenada in August 1989 when the Caribbean island nation recognized Taiwan, an inalienable part of China.

Li said the resumption of diplomatic ties proclaims once again that the one-China principle is widely acknowledged by the international community and any separatists' attempts on Taiwan "independence" are doomed to fail.

He said the Chinese Government is willing to develop co-operation in various fields with Grenada on the base of Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

Li said the two governments have agreed to exchange ambassadors as soon as possible and facilitate each other in the establishment of embassies.

"Today is indeed a very historic and memorable date for both Grenada and China," said Grenada's Nimrod.

The government of Grenada recognizes that there is only one China in the world and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, he said. Taiwan is an inseparable part of the Chinese territory.

"Any visionary leader must realize that now is the time for us to join together for the global good," Nimrod said.

He said it is a well-known fact that China is playing a leading role in the international community and that is why it is so meaningful for Grenada to normalize its relationship with China.

He said he is looking forward to a very good and long relationship between the two countries.

Grenada is the second country recently to break relations with Taiwan, following a decision in December made by Vanuatu, a Pacific island nation, which affirmed its one-China policy and said it would not have any official links with Taiwan.

The Grenadian Prime Minister Keith Mitchell visited China from December 12 to 16 and the two sides exchanged views over bilateral relations and issues of common interest.

Also yesterday, State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan met with Nimrod to formalize the resumption of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

"The resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Grenada conforms to the fundamental and long-term interests of the people from both countries," Tang said.

(China Daily 01/21/2005 page2)