President Jiang said during his talks with Slovak President Rudolf Schuster Monday that China and Slovakia had maintained a good relationship since the two countries established full diplomatic ties ten years ago.

Despite the great changes in the international as well as domestic situations, the shared will to maintain and develop bilateral relations never changed, Jiang said.

Jiang said exchanges and cooperation between the two countries had been expanded into all fields, including the economy, science and technology, culture, military, education and sports, and the two sides had also improved mutual trust steadily in politics through frequent high-level visits.

China considered Slovakia an important and cooperative partner and trustworthy friend in central and eastern Europe, Jiang said. "There are neither suspending issues involving two countries nor questions or conflicts of fundamental interests between the two countries," Jiang said.

China was ready to work with Slovakia to promote bilateral cooperation in line with the principles set forth in a joint statement signed here, he said.

Jiang said joint efforts made by both sides had boosted bilateral trade. The Shentou power plant project had been officially launched, injecting impetus into the further growth of bilateral trade.

China welcomed Slovakian enterprises to participate in China's Western Development and construction of the Beijing Olympic Games and Shanghai World Expo venues, Jiang said, adding that China also supported famed Chinese companies investing in Slovakia. He suggested the two sides facilitate personnel, commodity and capital flow between the two countries.

China appreciated the Slovakian government's adherence to the "one China" policy, Jiang said.

Schuster said in the past decade, China had made great achievements under the leadership of President Jiang, which benefited the people of China and was favorable to the people of the whole world.

He said Slovakia attached great importance to bilateral relations with China and adhered to "one China" policy and was willing to cooperate with China in every field.

Though Slovakia was a European country and would join the European Union soon, Slovakia-China relations would continue to be one of the focuses of Slovakia's foreign policy, Schuster noted.

Slovakia highly valued China's diplomatic achievements and its contribution to international affairs, he said.

He also congratulated China on winning the right to host the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai and he said Slovakia was willing to participate in venue construction.

Moreover, Schuster said he hoped that his current China visit would further strengthen bilateral friendly ties.

(Xinhua News Agency January 7, 2003)