State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said in Beijing Monday that China values its relations with Vanuatu and will make joint efforts with Vanuatu to maintain high-level contacts.

 

During his meeting with visiting Vanuatuan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sato Kilman, Tang spoke highly of Vanuatu's position of sticking to the one-China policy and the "significant contribution" that Kilman has made to safeguarding and developing Sino-Vanuatuan ties.

 

China will, together with Vanuatu, implement the consensus that the two governments have agreed upon, strengthen exchanges between the two parties and the two parliaments, expand economic and trade cooperation and support each other in multilateral affairs.

 

While appreciating China for its "selfless assistance" to Vanuatu since the two nations established diplomatic relations, Kilman said that China has played a "significant" role in promoting Vanuatu's economic and social development.

 

Kilman reiterated his government's firm adherence to the one-China policy and pledged to deepen friendly cooperation with China.

 

Kilman is visiting China at the invitation of Tang and will chair an opening ceremony for Vanuatu's Embassy in China which, Kilman said, indicates that bilateral ties have entered a new phase of development.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 17, 2006)