Romanian President Traian Basescu and Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu respectively met with visiting Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan in Bucharest yesterday to discuss bilateral relations.

 

Basescu said China held an important place in Romania's foreign policy. He spoke highly of the friendly cooperation between the two armies of Romania and China in recent years.

 

He said relations between the two armies were an important part of friendly cooperation between the two nations. Strengthening cooperation between the two armies would help China-Romania relations develop in an all-round way and in depth.

 

When meeting with Cao, Tariceanu expressed satisfaction over the development of Romania-China relations. He said Romania would stick to its position on the Taiwan issue.

 

Romania persistently adhered to the one-China policy and insisted that the People's Republic of China was the only legal administration representing China, and the Taiwan issue was a matter of internal affairs for China and China's national reunification would be resolved by the Chinese people, he added.

 

Cao, also vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and state councilor, said China-Romania relations had developed smoothly since both sides established diplomatic ties 57 years ago.

 

Cao said China was ready to work with Romania to further promote friendly ties and cooperation on the basis of the principles of mutual respect, mutual trust and equality in politics, as well as mutual benefit for their economies. China and Romania have strengthened friendly cooperation in various fields and brought about fruitful results and maintained mutual understanding and cooperation in international affairs.

 

China expressed thanks for Romania's position on the one-China policy and support for the great cause of China's national reunification, he added.

 

Cao arrived in Bucharest Sunday for a two-day official goodwill visit at the invitation of Romanian Defense Minister Teodor Atanasiu.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2006)