On the afternoon of November 6, Premier Zhu Rongji and Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Barak Tame Sope, who is on an official visit to China, held talks at the Great Hall of the People. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and issues of common concern.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Premier Zhu extended a warm welcome to Sope. He said that Sope is an old friend of the Chinese people and expressed the conviction that his current visit would further enhance mutual understanding and friendship and open up a new and more beautiful chapter in the Sino-Vanuatu friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation in the new millenium.

Premier Zhu said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Vanuatu in 1982, with joint efforts, bilateral friendly relations and cooperation have been developing smoothly. In recent years, there have been frequent exchanges of visits between leaders of the two countries as well as personnel from all circles, with deepened mutual understanding and friendship, which shows that to develop China-Vanuatu relations has become the consensus of the two governments and peoples. The exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in the political, economic and trade, and other sectors are productive. There are bright prospects for the mutually beneficial cooperation.

Premier Zhu stressed that it is an important part of China's foreign policy to strengthen solidarity and expand cooperation with developing countries like Vanuatu. China and Vanuatu are both concerned with the stability and development in the region and dedicated to developing each other's national economy and raising people's living standards. The history of the development of bilateral relations has shown that it is in the long-term fundamental interests of the two peoples and in conformity with their common aspiration to constantly develop friendly relations and cooperation between China and Vanuatu. That is also conducive not only to the economic growth and prosperity of both countries but also to the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. China places great importance on its relations with Vanuatu and is willing, based upon the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, to join efforts with Vanuatu to enhance mutual trust and expand the beneficial cooperation so as to advance further of the bilateral relations in a stable and sound manner.

Sope expressed thanks for China's warm reception and the support by the Chinese government and people of Vanuatu's struggle for independence. He reiterated his government's pursuit of the one-China policy. He said that his government maintains that Taiwan is an integral part of China. Sope expressed the hope that the bilateral cooperation in the economic and social fields would be enhanced.

Premier Zhu highly appreciated Vanuatu's consistent pursuit of the one-China policy. He stressed that the Taiwan issue is a serious and sensitive issue concerning national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the national reunification of China. The Chinese government has always insisted that "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems" should be the guideline for resolving the Taiwan issue. However, he pointed out, the one-China principle is the base and prerequisite for peaceful reunification, that is to recognize that there's only one China in the world, the Chinese government is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of China can not be separated. On this fundamental issue, the Chinese government and people will leave no room for negotiation and make no recession whatsoever. We will never allow Taiwan independence in any form. The only choice for Taiwan is to reunite with the mainland.

After the talks, the two Prime ministers attended the signing ceremony of an agreement on bilateral economic and trade cooperation.