On the afternoon of November 20, Premier Zhu Rongji held talks with Moldavian Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev in the Great Hall of the People. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views and reached wide consensus on bilateral relations and other issues of common concern in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Zhu first extended a warm welcome to Tarlev for his formal visit to China. He expressed the belief that the visit will enhance mutual understanding and promote friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Zhu spoke highly of the bilateral relations. He said that bilateral relations have developed smoothly since China and Moldova established diplomatic relations in January 1992, with frequent exchange of high level visits and expanded areas of cooperation.

Zhu said that President Jiang Zemin paid a state visit to Moldova in July this year. The two heads of state reached consensus on commitment to promote the long-term stable development of bilateral relations based upon the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. The two countries signed a joint statement and set the guideline and principles for the development of bilateral relations in the future.

Zhu expressed the hope that the governments of the two countries would follow the principles of the joint statement, carry out the consensus of their respective state leaders, enrich the content of bilateral relations and consolidate China-Moldova friendship. He said that China is willing to maintain high-level contacts, support exchanges between the two governments, parliaments, regions, and non-governmental groups, and expand exchanges and cooperation with Moldova in political, economic, scientific and technological, cultural and military fields.

Zhu appreciated Moldova's consistent position on the One China policy and reiterated China's consistent support for the efforts by the Moldavian government to safeguard national independence and integrity of its sovereignty and land. China hoped that the issue of the left bank of the Dniester River will be resolved through peaceful means and Moldova can realize national unification at the earliest possible date.

On economic relations and trade, Zhu said that the Chinese government attaches great importance to developing China-Moldova economic cooperation and trade. In recent years, bilateral relations and trade have developed quite well. It is hoped that the two sides will continue to make efforts to bring bilateral economic relations and trade to a new level.

In order to promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Zhu hoped the two sides will work in the following fields.

I Give full play to the role of the mixed Sino-Moldavian economic and trade committee. It is hoped that the two sides will make conscientious preparations for the second meeting to be held in Beijing next year and come up with more ideas for bilateral economic cooperation and trade.

II Encourage and support enterprises and companies of both countries to contact each other directly to increase understanding and promote cooperation. During the current visit, the entrepreneurs accompanying Prime Minister Tarlev will hold business meetings with their counterparts in Beijing and other places. It is hoped that they can achieve concrete results.

III Strengthen promotion and increase the popularity of both countries' products in each other's market. The China Council of Promotion of International Trade will hold an exhibition of Chinese products in Moldova next year. China encourages Moldavian enterprises to host and participate in exhibitions in China.

IV Explore the possibilities of cooperation under multilateral economic frameworks. Both China and Moldova are members of the WTO. The two sides can conduct more active cooperation in the WTO and other multilateral trade frameworks.

Tarlev conveyed cordial greetings from Moldavian President Voronin to Premier Zhu Rongji.

Tarlev agreed with Zhu's assessment of bilateral relations. He said that Moldova-China relations have maintained a positive and good momentum of development since the two countries established diplomatic relations 10 years ago. President Jiang Zemin's visit to Moldova in July this year has helped promote the bilateral relations to a new level.

Tarlev highly praised the friendly cooperation between the two countries on the international stage and China's important role in maintaining world peace and progress. He said that the Moldavian government is ready to work with the Chinese side to resolutely combat separatism and power politics internationally and uphold the principles of independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Tarlev said that Moldova meets the East and the West geographically. There is great potential in bilateral economic cooperation, trade and exchanges between Moldova and China. Moldova is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in economic and trade fields and support the entrepreneurs of the two countries to set up joint ventures in each other's countries. He believed that his current visit to China will play an important role in promoting bilateral economic cooperation and trade, and open a new page in bilateral mutually beneficial economic cooperation and exchanges.

Tarlev reiterated the Moldavian government's stance on One China and appreciated the Chinese government's support of Moldova's national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Tarlev invited Premier Zhu to visit Moldova at a convenient time. Zhu expressed thanks.

After the talks, the two prime ministers attended a signing ceremony. The two sides signed documents on cooperation in grape plantation and wine processing and cooperation between the judicial departments of the two countries.