Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met with Libyan Prime Minister Shokri Mohammed Ghanem and Foreign Minister Abdul-Rahman Mohammad Shalgam in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, on Thursday.

 

Both sides highly appraised the development of bilateral relations in the past 28 years and exchanged views over important international and regional issues at the meeting.

 

They agreed to make joint efforts to promote friendly cooperation in politics, the economy and trade, culture, investment, infrastructure, and other fields, and strengthen consultation within world organizations, such as the UN.

 

The Libyan officials reaffirmed the government's adherence to the one-China policy, its opposition to "Taiwan independence" and support for China's reunification cause.

 

There is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, and the Libyan government will not have any official contacts with Taiwan, they added.

 

The Libyan foreign minister said Libya treasures its friendship with China, adding the reports that Libya and Taiwan will exchange high-level visits and conduct cooperation in some areas as "baseless."

 

Li said China attaches great importance to developing relations with Libya on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence.

 

Li, on a tour of Africa, also met with Libyan leader Muammar Ghaddafi on Wednesday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2006)