On the afternoon of September 27, 2004, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks at the Great Hall of People with President of The Republic of Armenia Robert Sedrakovich Kocharyan, who was on his state visit to China, and the two sides highly commented China-Armenia friendly cooperative relations, indicating that they will make joint efforts to further push for the all-round and in-depth development of bilateral ties.

Hu Jintao said that the friendly exchanges between the two peoples enjoy a time-honored history. China is one of the first countries that acknowledged the independence of Armenia. Since the two countries established diplomatic ties 12 years ago, the two sides have all along held mutual respect, treated each other as equals and conducted mutually beneficial cooperation. China highly appreciates Armenia for giving diplomatic priority to relations with China and thanks Armenia for offering China resolute support on the issues related to Taiwan and Tibet.

Kocharyan noted that since the independence of Armenia, the two sides have reached important consensus on developing bilateral friendly cooperative ties. There are no issues at all existing in politics between the two countries and the two sides hold similar stances on international issues with the sound development in economic cooperation. Armenia will continue to persistently adhere to the one-China policy and support China's lofty cause of reunification.

Hu Jintao said that China cherishes the achievements made in the development of China-Armenia ties and would like to take President Kocharyan's visit to China as an opportunity and work along with Armenia to promote China-Armenia friendly cooperative ties up to a new level in the following three aspects. First, the two sides should strengthen bilateral exchanges and enhance mutual political understanding. The two sides should conduct cooperation through various channels and at different levels and keep closer political and diplomatic consultation as well as communication and cooperation within the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations. Second, the two sides should jointly tap potentials and expand economic and trade cooperation. The two sides can continue giving a role to the committee on economic and trade cooperation between the two countries and try to discuss new areas and new approaches of expanding cooperation. China encourages Chinese businesses to strengthen cooperation with the Armenian side, increase investments in Armenia and take greater part in its infrastructure construction. Third, the two sides should deepen exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, science and technology, health and tourism. The two sides should continue exerting themselves to actively seek new opportunities for greater, better and more intensive cooperation between the two sides, while putting a stress on implementing projects already agreed upon, so as to lay a more solid foundation for the development of bilateral ties.

Kocharyan agreed to Hu Jintao's proposals, noting that related agencies of the two sides can further detail cooperation measures. Kocharyan also indicated that to develop relations with China who is developing rapidly is of great significance to Armenia and Armenia sincerely hopes to see bilateral ties continuously deepened. He said that China has accumulated successful experience in developing market economy and opening to the outside world and made great achievements, which has provided important opportunities for Armenia-China economic and trade cooperation. Armenia acknowledges China's full market economy status and hopes the two sides can strengthen cooperation in energy, chemical industry, agriculture, science and technology. The two sides can take measures to promote strengthened exchanges, deepened understanding and expanded cooperation between entrepreneurs of the two countries.

Following the talks, the two heads of state attended the signing ceremony of the following three documents, the Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Armenia, the Agreement on Economic and Technological Cooperation between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Precautions against Earthquake Disasters between the China Earthquake Administration of the People's Republic of China and the Emergency Management Administration of the Republic of Armenia.

Prior to the talks, President Hu Jintao held a welcoming ceremony for President Kocharyan's visit to China at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. President Hu Jintao's wife Liu Yongqing, Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) He Luli, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) & Vice Chairman of the China Association for Promoting Democracy (CAPD) Zhang Huaixi, Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai, Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng, Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo, Director-General of the China Earthquake Administration Song Ruixiang and some other officials attended the welcoming ceremony.