On August 29, 2006, Montenegro's President Filip Vujanovic and Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic met respectively with visiting Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan.
Tang said China and Montenegro have a tradition of friendship and have shown mutual understanding and support on major issues involving each other's core interest over the years. China quickly established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Montenegro after it declared independence, providing new opportunities for the two countries to develop all-around relations. Tang said China respects the choice made by Montenegro's people as well as its sovereignty and territorial integrity and sincerely hopes Montenegro will make greater achievements in safeguarding state stability, realizing economic growth and conducing foreign exchanges. Tang added China has always held that all countries, big or small, poor or rich, strong or weak, are equal members of the international community. Tang said China attaches high importance to ties with Montenegro and resolutely pursues friendly policy with it, noting China is willing to further step up political trust and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides and further promote bilateral relations.
Tang put forward proposals on the development of bilateral ties in the new situation, expressing hope that both sides will strengthen high-level visits and political dialogue, advance contacts between their parliaments, parties and regional governments, promote economic and trade cooperation in the principle of mutual benefit and actively contribute to exchanges in the areas of tourism, culture, education and journalism. China has decided to make Montenegro a destination country for Chinese tourists and hopes to see the signing of related agreements and launching of cooperation as soon as possible.
Vujanovic, for his part, said that Montenegro is the youngest country, while China was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Montenegro. Montenegro's government and people are deeply grateful for China's precious support. Since China and Montenegro forged diplomatic ties, the traditional friendship between the two countries has further deepened and bilateral ties have been developing at a fast pace with enormous potential for cooperation in all areas. He said that Montenegro attaches great importance to its ties with China, and will continue to adhere to the one-China policy. Montenegro is looking forward to cooperation with China in economy, trade, tourism, shipping, shipbuilding and hydropower development.
Djukanovic said China is playing an important role in international affairs and has always held that all countries, big or small, are equal, which Montenegro highly appreciates. He expressed admiration for China's enormous achievements in economic development, adding that his country is confident about China's future and believes enhanced cooperation with China is conducive to Montenegro's economic growth. Montenegro is ready to strengthen all-round exchanges with China and set up frameworks for cooperation in the areas of politics, economy, trade and tourism as soon as possible so as to push cooperation in all areas for positive progress.
Following the talks, Tang and Djukanovic attended the signing ceremony of a number of bilateral cooperation documents including the China-Montenegro economic and trade agreement and jointly met with journalists from home and abroad.
Tang arrived in Budva on August 29 for an official visit at the invitation of the government of Montenegro after concluding his official visit to Macedonia.
