(Translation)

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan of the People?s Republic of China paid an official visit to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from December 2 to 4, 2000.

Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia held candid talks rich in contents with Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan of the People?s Republic of China.

President Vojislav Kostunica, Prime Minister Zoran Zizic and Deputy Prime Minister Miroljub Labus of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia met and held talks rich in contents with Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan respectively, during which they had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations, regional situations and international issues of shared interest. The Yugoslav side briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments in Yugoslavia. The talks were conducted in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and mutual trust. Both sides are satisfied with the results the visit has achieved.

Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan conveyed the cordial greetings from President Jiang Zemin to President Kostunica and invited President Kostunica to visit China next year in the name of President Jiang Zemin. President Kostunica accepted the invitation with pleasure. The specific time for the visit will be hammered out through diplomatic channels.

China and Yugoslavia agree that the rights of the people of all countries to choose their own development path in light of their national conditions and on a voluntary basis should be respected and differences in social system and value system should not become obstacles impeding the smooth development of state-to-state relations. China and Yugoslavia and the Chinese people and the Yugoslav people cherish traditional friendly relations and cooperation. To continue to maintain and develop the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries on an equal footing in all areas not only conforms to the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples, but also conduces to peace and stability of the region and the world at large. The two sides stands ready to further develop their all-round friendly relations and cooperation in such areas as politics, economy, culture, education and science and technology in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and established norms and principles of international law and international relations and on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in each other?s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful co-existence.

The Yugoslav side attaches great importance to the important role of the People?s Republic of China in international affairs and highly appreciates the contribution the People?s Republic of China has made to the maintenance of peace and stability in South-east Europe and in the world at large as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. The Yugoslav side reiterated its position on the question of Taiwan and stressed once again that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory, the government of the People?s Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing the whole China and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will not establish official ties with Taiwan or have official contacts with Taiwan or support Taiwan?s entry into international organizations in which statehood is required.

The Chinese side maintains that Yugoslavia is an important factor in the peace of the South-east Europe and in maintaining regional stability and promoting regional cooperation. The Chinese side appreciates the efforts of Yugoslavia in safeguarding national stability and fully understands and respects Yugoslavia?s policy of actively integrating into Europe as a European country. China will, as always, support Yugoslavia?s return into the international community and called on parties concerned to lift sanctions against Yugoslavia at an early date and without strings attached.

The Chinese side reiterates its support for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and maintains that the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 should be observed in real earnest with a view to safeguarding the complete equality and personal and property safety and interests of all the ethnic groups in Kosovo and ensuring the quick, safe and unhindered return of refugees and displaced people to their homeland. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China will continue to make efforts for the just and durable settlement of the Kosovo issue on the basis of the UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

The Yugoslav side thanked the Chinese side for its humanitarian and economic assistance to the Yugoslav people whey they were at the most difficult period. The two sides affirm that they will continue to implement and ensure the smooth enforcement of the agreements already signed pertaining to bilateral economic cooperation. China will continue to encourage its enterprises to take an active part in the economic reconstruction of Yugoslavia. The Yugoslav side will continue to provide accommodation to Chinese enterprises participating in the economic reconstruction of Yugoslavia. The two sides will, in accordance with the principles of market economy, encourage their enterprises and corporations to conduct mutually beneficial cooperation and economic contacts of various forms and jointly commit to the exploration of the market of a third country. Both sides will encourage their citizens to go to each other?s country to conduct various economic and trade activities and will provide accommodation for the contacts of citizens of the two countries.

Both sides will take measures to further expand bilateral friendly relations and cooperation in science, technology, culture, sports, eco-environment protection, public health and others.

Both sides are of the view that the contacts between the local governments of the two countries are helpful to the overall development of bilateral relations. Both sides will encourage China?s Heilongjiang Province and Yugoslavia?s Republic of Serbia, China?s Guizhou Province and the Republic of Montenegro of Yugoslavia, China?s Beijing and Yugoslavia?s Belgrade to continue to develop friendly relations and cooperation, in particular.

Both sides will step up cooperation in cracking down upon organized crimes, illegal immigration and international terrorism.

The Chinese government will provide free loans to the Yugoslav government worth 20 million RMB.

Done in Belgrade on December 3, 2000. The Communiqué is done in Chinese and Serbia, with both versions equally authentic.

Signed
Tang Jiaxuan
The People?s Republic of China

Signed
Goran Svilanovic
The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia