At the invitation of Foreign Minister Paskal Milo of the Republic of Albania, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan of the People?s Republic of China paid an official visit to Albania from Dec. 4 to 5, 2000. During the visit, the two foreign ministers held talks and exchanged views on bilateral relations and international issues of shared interest. The talks were carried out in an atmosphere of friendliness and mutual trust.

During the visit, President Rexhep Meidani, Prime Minister Ilir Meta and Speaker Skender Gjinushi of the People?s Assembly of the Republic of Albania met with Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan respectively. During the meetings, Foreign Minister Tang conveyed the cordial greetings from President Jiang Zemin, Chairman Li Peng of the Standing Committee of NPC and Premier Zhu Rongji of the State Council to their Albanian counterparts. Foreign Minister Tang also forwarded a letter from Chairman Li Peng to Speaker Gjinushi, in which Chairman Li invited Speaker Gjinushi to visit China next year.

During the talks, both sides expressed satisfaction over the further development of bilateral relations in recent years. They stated that they will, as always, continue to develop China-Albania relations on the basis of such established principles as equality, cooperation, sovereignty, mutual respect and non-interference in each other?s internal affairs. They also agreed to expand their common ground and maintained that differences between the two countries will not become obstacles to the further development of bilateral relations.

The two sides agreed that they should augment their cooperation in the field of economy and trade in line with the principles of market economy and on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. They also agreed that the role of the mixed committee on economy and trade should be intensified and remaining economic and trade problems should be properly resolved. They agreed to encourage and support the contacts and cooperation between the corporations, enterprises and various other institutes of the two countries. They believed that agreements reached in the relevant areas should be implemented.

The two foreign ministers also stressed the importance of exchanging views and agreed to continue to hold bilateral consultations on questions of mutual concern.

They pointed out that the world is undergoing profound changes and the quest for peace, stability, cooperation and development has become the common goal of all the peoples in the world. However, peace and development are facing challenges. They agreed to step up cooperation both within and without the United Nations and jointly promote the establishment of a just and equitable international political and economic new order in accordance with the purpose and principles of the UN Charter and other established norms governing international relations.

The Albanian side spoke highly of the smooth resumption of the exercise of sovereignty by China on Hong Kong and Macao, reiterating that there is one China in the world, the Government of the People?s Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing China, Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory and the Republic of Albania will not establish official ties or conduct official contacts with Taiwan in any form.

The Chinese side spoke highly of the achievements that the Albanian government has scored in developing its economy and maintaining social stability and understood, respected and supported Albania?s efforts to realize integration with Europe.

Foreign Minister Tang and Foreign Minister Milo also signed the exchange of note on providing free loans to Albania.

They were of the view that Foreign Minister Tang?s visit to Albania is a full success and Foreign Minister Tang expressed gratitude for the warm reception accorded to him in Tirane. He invited Foreign Minister Milo to visit China once again, which Milo accepted with pleasure. The specific time will be hammered out through diplomatic channels.

Tirane
December 5, 2000