On the morning of Nov. 22, 2000, Visiting Vice Premier Wu Bangguo held talks with Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, during which they exchanged views on bilateral relations and issues of shared interest. Wu thanked the Kuwaiti side for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to him and conveyed the cordial greetings from President Jiang to Emir and from Premier Zhu Rongji and Vice Premier Qian Qichen to Al-Sabah. He noted that Al-Sabah visited China 4 times and is an old friend of China.

Wu noted that Kuwait was the first among GCC countries to establish diplomatic ties with China, adding that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, the friendly cooperation between them have witnessed notable progress in such fields as politics, economy and trade, oil and culture. Both situated in Asia and being developing countries, China and Kuwait share the same oriental value of civilization and hold same or similar views on major regional and international issues. The two countries have also closely collaborated in international arena. China attaches great importance to the development of friendly relations and cooperation with Kuwait. China stands ready to work alongside Kuwait to establish long-term, stable and friendly relations featuring all-round cooperation oriented towards the 21st century.

He highlighted the stable relations in the economic and trade domains since the establishment of diplomatic ties, adding that bilateral cooperation has covered ever large areas. He went on to say that the two countries have conducted fruitful cooperation not only in economic and trade field, but also in labor contracting and setting up joint ventures. He added that the two economies are highly complementary and there is still much room for further development. He noted that as Kuwait is one of the world's major oil producing countries, China is willing to establish long-term cooperative relations in the oil field with the Kuwait. He said that China stands ready to expand bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy and trade and oil and explore new ways for bilateral cooperation and push the bilateral friendly relations and cooperation to a new high. He invited the Kuwaiti government and businessmen to bring investment to western China, as China is implementing the strategy of developing its under-developed western provinces.

Wu spoke highly of the achievements made by the Kuwaiti government and people in upholding sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and developing its national economy and improving the living standards of its people. He noted that as an important country in the Gulf region, Kuwait has adhered to its independent foreign policy of peace and has played an important role in promoting solidarity and self-reliance of the Gulf countries, in maintaining regional security and stability and advancing harmony, friendship and coordination among countries in the region. As a true friend of Kuwait, it is China's sincere hope that Kuwait can score even greater progress in the future.

For his part, Al-Sabah welcomed Wu for leading a delegation to visit Kuwait and conveyed the Emir's greetings to Wu. He asked Wu to convey cordial greetings to Premier Zhu Rongji and Vice Premier Qian Qichen. He thanked China for its support to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kuwait on behalf of the Emir, the Kuwaiti government and people. He said that he completely agreed with China's suggestion about furthering bilateral friendly relations in all fields, adding that Kuwait is also willing to strengthen friendly cooperation with China and will play a positive role in China's economic development. He reiterated Kuwait's adherence to the One China policy.

Wu said that China has all along maintained that big or small, strong or weak, all countries are equal, China opposes the encroachment by any country upon the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries and China stands for peaceful resolution of conflicts among countries. He reaffirmed China's support for Kuwait's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and reiterated that China opposes any kind of

threat posed to Kuwait. He noted that as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China shoulders responsibility for regional peace and security and is willing to intensify coordination and cooperation with Kuwait so as to contribute to the realization of peace and stability in the Gulf region at an early date.