On the morning of April 16, 2002, Premier Zhu Rongji held friendly, candid and constructive talks with Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit at the Turkish Prime Ministry.

Zhu said that the peoples of China and Turkey have traditional friendship. Our ancestors conducted friendly exchanges through the Silk Road long time ago. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Turkey in 1971, the two countries have had fruitful cooperation in political, economic, cultural and other fields, and bilateral friendly relations and cooperation have developed in an in-depth manner. During President Jiang Zemin's visit to Turkey in April, 2000, the heads of state of the two countries signed a Joint Communique, deciding upon a closer partnership in the new century. We are glad to note that the two sides have taken positive steps and achieved marked results in implementing the joint communique in the past two years. Politically, the two sides have maintained the good momentum in high-level exchanges. In economic and trade fields, bilateral trade volume has increased year by year as cooperation in other economic areas gradually expands. China is satisfied with the sound momentum in bilateral friendly and cooperative relations.

Zhu said that China and Turkey, as two important countries in eastern and western Asia, shoulder important responsibilities in safeguarding the region's peace and stability. China attaches great importance to developing ties with Turkey and appreciates the past and present Turkish administrations' positive attitudes toward relations with China and their unremitting efforts in this regard. China is ready to work with Turkey to bring existing friendly relations and cooperation to a new high.

Zhu appreciated the One China policy stand held by the Turkish government.

Ecevit agreed with Premier Zhu's assessment of bilateral relations. He said that Turkey values highly its relations with China and that developing Turkish-Chinese ties in various fields is an important component of Turkey's foreign policy.

On bilateral economic relations and trade, Zhu said that China-Turkey trade has developed smoothly in general, with trade volume increasing year by year. Bilateral cooperation in project contracting has been conducted gradually. The Chinese side pays close attention to Turkey's trade deficit with China and is taking positive steps in increasing import from Turkey and encouraging Chinese enterprises to invest in Turkey. Zhu expressed the confidence that bilateral trade would continue to develop smoothly through friendly consultations between competent departments of both countries.

Ecevit said that Turkey-China economic relations and trade are strengthening. Turkey hopes to expand cooperation with China, and strengthen cooperation in such areas as project construction. Turkey welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in Turkey and more Chinese citizens to visit the country as tourists, which is an important channel for the two peoples to enhance understanding.

On the issue of "Eastern Turkistan", Zhu said that we have taken note that the Turkish government has emphasized in recent years that Xinjiang is part of China's territory, and taked some concrete steps to restrict "Eastern Turkistan" elements in Turkey to conduct anti-China separatist activities. We appreciate that. At present, "Eastern Turkistan" elements are still stubbornly pursuing anti-China separatist activities. Some "Eastern Turkistan" terrorists, who have conducted violent anti-China activities in Afghanistan are looking for new bases, and they have their eye on Turkey. China and Turkey are important countries in the region, and shoulder major responsibilities in fighting international terrorism and maintaining regional peace and stability. Fighting "Eastern Turkistan" terrorists jointly is in the fundamental interests of the two countries in terms of maintaining security and stability. We hope that China and Turkey will cooperate more closely and jointly prevent any damage inflicted by "Eastern Turkistan" on China-Turkey relations.

Ecevit said that Turkey is against any terrorist activities in the world. Turkey and China have had good cooperation in anti-terrorism field. After the issue of Afghanistan, the possiblity for Turkey and China to strengthen cooperation in this field has increased. Turkey would like to continue to strengthen cooperation with China in anti-terrorism field. As for activities by some "Eastern Turkistan" elements in Turkey, Turkey will restrict them. The Turkish government will not support terrorist activities by "Eastern Turkistan".

The two sides also exchanged views on Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Iraq, Afghanistan and other issues.

On the Middle East issue, Zhu said that the conflict between Israel and Palestine continues to go on and the Middle East Peace Process is in a deadlock. The Chinese government is deeply worried and concerned. We think that Israel's military attacks on Palestine, economic embargo, and siege of President Arafat can not help the settlement of the problem, rather, it will only exacerbate the situation. We oppose and condemn the barbarian agression by Israel on Palestine, and demand Israel fully withdraw from the Palestinian area. We also condemn all violent activities that target innocent civilians. China has made positive efforts to ease the tension between Israel and Palestine that is dramactically deteriorating, and taked a series of diplomatic moves to urge Israel to withdraw its troops as soon as possible and ensure the personal safety of President Arafat. Turkey plays a unique role in the Middle East, and have been an active peacemaker between Israel and Palestine with its good relations with Israel and the Arab world. We appreciate it. China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, is ready to work with the rest of the international community, including Turkey, to continue to make its due contributions to ease the tension between Israel and Palestine and push for an early settlement of the Middle East issue.

Ecevit said that the Turkish government holds the same views as the Chinese side on the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Turkey stands for a settlement of the Middle East issue on the basis of relevant UN resolutions.

Zhu invited Ecevit to visit China. Ecevit expressed thanks and accepted the invitation gladly.

After the talks, the two sides signed four documents on Maritime Customs cooperation, agricultural cooperation, information technology cooperation, and automobile purchase. Zhu and Ecevit attended the signing ceremony.