President Jiang Zemin met with visiting Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markarian at Zhongnanhai on the morning of Dec. 5, 2000.

Jiang extended welcome to Markarian on his working visit to China and wished his visit a full success. He also asked Markarian to convey his best wishes and cordial greetings to Armenian President Robert Kocharyan.

He noted that as old nations in the world, both the Chinese nation and the Armenian nation are best known for their diligence and wisdom. He went on to say that though geographically far apart, the contacts between the two peoples can be dated back to ancient times. Chinese commodities were transported to Armenia through the Silk Road in as early as the 2nd century. He added that famous Armenian composer Khachaturian's works are very much liked by the Chinese people.

He noted that bilateral relations have entered a new period of development and have maintained a momentum of stable development since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. He went on to say that the Joint Communique the two countries signed in 1996 provides a basis for the friendly relations between the two countries and lays down the direction of the development of bilateral relations. He added that bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation has been unfolding and has enjoyed stable development. He stated that China stands ready to work alongside Armenia to further promote bilateral ties at the turn of the century.

He noted that China has all along attached great importance to the development of long-term, stable, friendly relations and cooperation with the other countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. China has maintained that the world should be a diversified and colorful one and all countries, big or small, strong or weak, have the right to choose their own development path in light of their own national conditions and have the responsibility to respect the choices of other countries. China will continue to support Armenia's efforts to safeguard national independence and sovereignty.

He also spoke highly of Armenia's One China policy on the question of Taiwan.

He noted that the economies of China and Armenia are highly complementary and the two countries should learn from each other in order to achieve common development. He was convinced that through the concerted efforts of both countries, bilateral economic cooperation and trade is bound to achieve gratifying results for both sides.

Markarian thanked Jiang for meeting with him amidst his packed schedules and conveyed the good wishes and cordial greetings from President Kocharyan. He went on to say that as two ancient civilizations, Armenia and China have enjoyed traditional friendship and have rendered each other mutual understanding and support and worked closely together in international arena on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and trust. He added that Armenia makes its relations with China a priority of its foreign policy. He noted that the development of all-round cooperation between China and Armenia in politics, economy, science and technology, culture, education and others conforms to the interests of the two peoples. He was convinced that through the concerted efforts of both sides, bilateral friendly cooperation will enjoy further development. Markarian reiterated that the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.

Dec. 5, 2000