On the afternoon of March 22, 2002, President Jiang Zemin and Joseph Kabila, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), held talks at the Great Hall of the People. The two sides exchanged in-depth opinions on the issues about bilateral ties and other regional and international issues of common concern in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, and reached broad consensus.

Jiang extended a warm welcome to President Kabila. He said that former DRC President Laurent Kabila, Joseph Kabila's father, as an old friend of Chinese people, visited China in 1997 and his tour has brought profoundly and broadly remarkable progress in the promotion of bilateral ties. Jiang said he believed that Joseph Kabila's current visit would increase mutual understanding between China and the DRC and elevate bilateral friendly cooperation to a new high.

Speaking highly of Sino-DRC relations and friendship, Jiang said that although the two countries lie thousands of miles apart, the friendship between the two peoples has a remote source and runs a long course. As early as when the DRC fought for its national independence, China has given moral support and material assistance to the DRC people. In the recent years the two countries have actively carried out cooperation in politics, trade and economy, culture and other fields and generated positive results.

Jiang also pointed out that China and the DRC are both developing countries. The two have many common concerns in various aspects such as safeguarding territory, maintaining the domestic stability, developing economy and improving people's life. They also share common interests on major international issues. Jiang said that the Chinese side pays much attention to the important status of the DRC and cherishes the traditional friendly relations of cooperation with Congo. The Chinese side is ready to make joint efforts with Congo in order to push forward the bilateral cooperation to a new high, hoping the two could strengthen the cooperation in such international fields as the issue of human rights, offer sympathy and support to each other and jointly guard the interests of the vast developing countries.

Speaking of bilateral trade and economy cooperation, Jiang said that bilateral cooperation in trade and economy has developed smoothly in general. The two sides have conducted cooperation of various forms on the principles of equality, mutual beneficiality and common development, and have made satisfactory achievements. In the recent years the fields and approaches of the cooperation in trade and economy between the two countries have been expanded, especially that the mutually beneficial cooperation between enterprises have made relatively big progress.

Jiang said that China supports the government of DRC's efforts towards economic reconstruction and will encourage reputable Chinese businesses to invest in the DRC. Jiang believes that the trade and economy cooperation will definitely enjoy more progress through the joint efforts of the two sides.

Jiang praised Kabila's dedication to developing Sino-DRC friendly cooperation as well as his firm adherence to the One China policy and the position on the reunification of China. Jiang highly evaluated President Kabila's efforts in safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity, in promoting the national reconciliation and peace process, as well as in improving relations with its neighbouring countries and countries at large.

Jiang expressed his belief that under the leadership of Kabila, the DRC government and people would certainly overcome all difficulties and achieve peace and economic prosperity in their country.

Kabila, for his part, thanked the Chinese side for their warm reception and agreed with Jiang on the latter's evaluation on bilateral ties.

Kablia said that there are good relations exiting between the two countries and the two peoples. When the DRC comes across difficulties, the Chinese government constantly stands by the DRC and gives precious support to the latter. He said that the Congo people have always seen China as a true friend and the Congo government will resolutely pursue One China policy.

Kablia said that economic and diplomatic cooperation between the DRC and China has great development potential, and welcomes China to enhance cooperation with Congo in fields such as energy and agriculture and increase investment in the DRC so as to promote Congo's economic development.

Kablia said that Congo is willing to work together with China to further elevate the friendly relationship with China and make benefit for the two peoples.

Kabila also introduced the domestic situation in Congo.

Jiang said that the Chinese side has always been concerned about the peace process in the DRC, and extends heart-felt sympathy for the suffering and loss brought about by the ongoing conflict in the DRC. He said that the Chinese government has always emphasized that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC should be respected, foreign military forces should leave the DRC, conflicts should be resolved through dialogue, consultation by all parties concerned and a peaceful approach on the spirit of African unity and national conciliation. Later on, the Chinese side will continue to keep close consultation and coordination with Congo and make efforts in rendering an early resolution of the conflicts in Congo as usual.

After the talks, Jiang and Kabila attended the ceremony for signing three cooperation agreements between China and the DRC.