Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and the visiting German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister, Joschka Fischer, vowed to push forward the bilateral cooperation in their talks Tuesday.

Tang said that the Sino-Germany ties have been on progress, as showed by the frequent contacts between the leaders of the two countries.

During the past two years, the premiers of the two countries have realized mutual visits and the dialogue and the cooperation between the two sides has been fruitful, Tang said.

The Chinese foreign minister spoke highly of the on-going conference of environmental cooperation between the two countries, saying that it will open a new area of cooperation for mutual benefits.

Fischer noted that his country attaches importance to developing relations with China, a country of major influence in the world.

He said that his government is willing to join hands with China to further the bilateral cooperation in various areas.

Tang said there are more common stands than differences between China and Germany on major bilateral and international issues, adding that those differences can only be solved through dialogue and cooperation on the basis of mutual respect.

Fischer said that he agrees with Tang. He said that he is glad that the two sides can always discuss all issues, including those differences, in a friendly and frank atmosphere.

Fischer noted that he hopes the discussion will continue in future.

He told Tang that his government will stick to the "one-China" policy.

The two ministers also exchanged views on other international and regional issues of common interests.

(Xinhua 12/13/2000)