Li Changchun said in Beijing Monday that China highly values developing Sino-Fijian relations and is willing to work hard with Fiji for a sustainable, stable and healthy bilateral relationship on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation of the United Fiji Party led by its Chairman Ratu Apenisa Loki.

China and Fiji have been keeping high-level exchanges since the two nations established diplomatic ties in 1975, with an ever-deepening mutual trust in politics and remarkable achievements in economic cooperation and trade, said Li.

The two sides have also maintained close cooperation in world affairs, he said, and bilateral relations have been thus greatly enhanced.

Li offered his congratulations on the establishment of formal inter-party relationship between the CPC and the United Fiji Party. It would surely deepen the ties between the two parties and the two nations as well, he said.

Meanwhile, Li expressed appreciation and gratitude to the Fijian government and the United Fiji Party for upholding a one-China policy.

The Fijian guests thanked the CPC for inviting them to attend the Third International Conference of Asian Political Parties, held here from Sept. 3 to 5, saying that they have been given an opportunity to learn from China and establish the formal friendly ties with the CPC.

Stressing that Fiji attaches great importance to its friendly relationship with China, they vowed to keep their principled stand on sticking to the one-China policy and further develop the relationship between the two countries through stepping up inter-party exchanges.

(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2004)