Chinese President Jiang Zemin said in Buenos Airs Monday that China "never gives in to any outside pressure on principle issues related to China's state sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Jiang made the remarks in his formal talks with Argentine President Fernando de la Rua during his state visit here.

Jiang stressed that "China adheres to an all-facet opening-up policy and is willing to undertake exchange and cooperation with all countries worldwide on the basis of equality and mutual benefit for common development."

According to Jiang, China has adopted an independent foreign policy for peace. "The essential goal of our foreign policy is to safeguard the independence of state sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity," he said.

China's foreign policy is also aimed at opposing hegemonism, maintaining world peace and promoting common development so as to seek a long-term, peaceful and stable international environment for China's reform, opening-up and modernization drive, he said.

In the talks, Jiang also put forward his analysis of the international situation and China's views on the situation.

"The international situation in general goes towards detente and the pursuit of peace and development has become the common aspiration of people worldwide," Jiang said.

He pointed out that there is still hegemonism and power politics, frequent regional conflicts derived from ethnic, religious and resource causes, and a number of universal problems, such as environment, drug and refugees.

"Peace and development still face challenges," he commented.

On the setup of the new international political and economic order, Jiang pointed out that the order should be grounded on the Five-Principles of Peaceful Co-existence and other universally recognized norms governing international relations. The Five-Principles of Peaceful Co-existence are mutual respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non- interference of internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence.

China as a developing country is willing to make efforts for the lasting peace and prevailing prosperity along with other countries, including Argentina, Jiang said.

President De la Rua agreed with Jiang's analysis and said that Argentina is also committed to a peaceful and just world order. He also highly praised China's active role in international affairs.

(Xinhua 04/10/2001)