China is ready to push forward long-term and good-neighborly friendship with Bhutan, said State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan in Beijing Wednesday.

 

Tang said in a meeting with Bhutanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Khandu Wangchuk that although China and Bhutan have not established diplomatic ties, the two nations always enjoy harmonious relations with mutual respect and equal treatment.

 

"China appreciates Bhutan's adherence to one-China policy in the past years," Tang said, noting that China is ready to build and push forward the friendly and cooperative relations with Bhutan in line with the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

 

Tang said the Chinese government is wiling to resolve the boundary issue with Bhutan at an early date through friendly consultations in the spirit of mutual understanding and accommodation.

 

"We hope the China-Bhutan boundary will become a bridge between the two nations to promote good-neighborly cooperation," he noted.

 

Wangchuk said Bhutan values the relations with China, always sticks to the one-China policy, and will continue conducting friendly exchanges and cooperation with China.

 

Wangchuk, who was here for the 18th talks on China-Bhutan boundary issue at the invitation of Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, said Bhutan is ready to make efforts for the early resolution of the boundary issue in the spirit of mutual understanding and accommodation.

 

Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei held the boundary issue talks with Wangchuk on Wednesday morning, and Li Zhaoxing met with Wangchuk later Wednesday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2006)