On August 2, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan held talks with the three foreign ministers of the Rio Group, Guillermo Fernandez de Soto of Columbia, Rosario Green of Mexico and Soledad Alvear of Chile, who were on the first group visit to China. The two sides exchanged views extensively on relations between China and the Rio Group and international issues of common concern.

Foreign Minister Tang spoke positively of the important role of the Rio Group in maintaining peace and stability in the Latin American region, promoting internal friendly cooperation among the Latin American countries, and in handling international affairs. He said China has always highly valued the important role of the Rio Group, and considered the Group as an important political force among developing countries and a reliable partner in international affairs. In the past 10 years, China has maintained good cooperation with the Rio Group. Since the establishment of the political dialogue relations between China and the Rio Group in 1990, nine foreign ministerial-level talks have been conducted. The two sides have had a broad and in-depth exchange of views on China--Latin America relations and international and regional issues. Foreign Minister Tang said China feels that dialogue and cooperation with the Rio Group over the past decade have been positive and the Chinese side is fully satisfied with the result.

The three foreign ministers of the Rio Group expressed their satisfaction over the opportunity to celebrate with China the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the political dialogue relations between the two sides. They noted that the political dialogue between the two sides has been fruitful, that mutual understanding has been further deepened and that dialogue and coordination have been widened. The three foreign ministers noted that developing friendly cooperation with China has become an important consensus among members of the Rio Group.

On international issues, Tang said the world is developing toward multi-polarization, which is conducive to establishing a just and reasonable international political order. All these factors are helpful in developing and promoting world peace and stability. It is also in line with the common aspiration of the majority of the international community. Foreign Minister Tang said developing countries are paying more and more attention to unite themselves and safeguard their own rights and interests. Developing countries are the major force in pushing forward multi-polarization. China and Latin American countries share a wide consensus on the issue of promoting multi-polarization. The three foreign ministers agreed with Tang on this point. They noted that joint efforts by the two sides on this matter is helpful to the balance, peace, and development in the world.

Foreign Minister Tang said economic globalization will have a different impact on countries at different stages of their development. He added that because of the irrationality of the current international economic order and different economic strength and development stages, the "dividend" of globalization has not been divided evenly between developing and developed countries. Foreign Minister Tang said a global economy needs the cooperation from the international community. All nations of the world, especially developing countries, should have equal rights to participate in international economic issues. The three foreign ministers pointed out that economic globalization brings both opportunities and challenges to developing countries. They told Foreign Minister Tang that the Rio Group is willing to work with China to meet the challenges, to eliminate poverty and to make international economic issues more democratic and open.

On the human rights issue, Foreign Minister Tang stressed that China and many countries in Latin America share common views and have maintained good cooperation. The Chinese government is willing to further strengthen dialogue with the Rio Group and countries in Latin America on the human rights issue to further deepen mutual understanding, enhance mutual cooperation, promote the cause of human rights, and join efforts in safeguarding the interests of developing countries. The three foreign ministers noted that they agree with Foreign Minister Tang on this matter, reiterating that the Rio Group is opposed to unilateral actions taken by certain countries that harm the sovereignty of other countries and the human rights issue.

The two sides agreed that China and Latin America should join hands to push for a just and reasonable international political and economic order and make even more efforts to create a peaceful and prosperous new world.

The two sides also reached consensus on enhancing bilateral ties between China and the Rio Group. They agreed that the two sides should value dialogue and cooperation from a strategic perspective, continue to strengthen political dialogue, push for the establishment of long-term, stable and friendly cooperative relations between China and the Latin American countries. The two sides agreed to work together to promote solidarity and cooperation among developing countries. They agreed that they should continue to widen their dialogue and enrich the content of their cooperation. The foreign ministers mentioned that they should pay more attention to consultation and coordination on issues such as multi-polarization, economic globalization, and the establishment of a new international order, in a bid to safeguard world peace and promote common development. They also agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in areas of economy and trade, finance, science and technology, culture, and education. They stressed that dialogue should become an important channel in pushing forward mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Latin America.

The two sides noted that the talks have been positive, constructive, and fruitful.

Apart from the talks, Foreign Minister Tang also met with the three foreign ministers on separate occasions, and exchanged views with them on further developing bilateral relations with the three countries.