CHINA> China and Albania
China, Albania vow to deepen traditional friendship
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-08-24 15:21

China and Albania issued a joint statement in Beijing on April 21 in which they said they would boost their traditional friendship and bilateral cooperation in all fields.

The statement was issued after official talks between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Albanian counterpart Sali Berisha in the Great Hall of the People during the afternoon.

China, Albania vow to deepen traditional friendship

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha during a welcoming ceremony in honor of Berisha at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 21. [Xinhua]

The two countries vowed to increase mutual investment, encourage more business contacts and promote a balanced development of trade ties, the statement said.

China would support its competitive companies to invest in Albania and participate in the country's infrastructure construction, energy and mine exploitation, it said. Albania said it appreciated China's aid for its economic development.

The two countries pledged to strengthen dialogue at various levels and increase exchanges and cooperation between governments, parliaments and political parties, according to the statement.

They would expand cooperation in tourism, agriculture, public health, technology, culture and education, and encourage more exchanges among their local governments and non-governmental groups.

According to the statement, Albania reiterated its adherence to the one-China policy. It acknowledged there is only one China in the world and the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) is the sole legal government representing the whole China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.

Albania opposes Taiwan joining international organizations that are only open to sovereign nations and is against "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities in any form, the statement said. Albania also promised not to establish official ties and not to have official contact with the Taiwan authority. China highly appreciated the stance of the country, the statement said.

In face of the global financial crisis, the two countries called on the international community to enhance financial supervision cooperation, fight trade protectionism and reduce the damage of the crisis to developing countries.

China respected the Albanian people's choice of a development path in line with their domestic situation and understood their efforts to join the European integration process, the statement said.

The two countries agreed to abide by the principles of the UN Charter, and support the UN's leading role in safeguarding international security, promoting common development and peacefully solving international disputes.

Both sides proposed to strengthen the function and authority of the UN and UN Security Council and agreed to increase cooperation in the United Nations and other international organizations, the statement said.

The international community should work together to combat terrorism, and the two nations agreed to respect each other's security concerns.

Albania spoke highly of China's achievements since the founding of the PRC 60 years ago and appreciated China's contributions to world peace and development.

Both sides applauded their remarkable cooperation in various areas, and agreed to hold activities to celebrate the 60th anniversary of bilateral ties, the statement said.