Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday held talks with Vaclav Klaus, president of the Czech Republic, exchanging views on bilateral ties and other issues of common concern.  

Hu highly evaluated the China-Czech friendly cooperation ties. He said the Czech Republic is one of the earliest countries to forge diplomatic ties with the new China after it was founded in 1949.

Recent years has seen their relations develop smoothly based on mutual respect, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and reciprocity despite changes in their international and domestic situations.

He said mutual political trust is deepening and bilateral trade surges every year, and cooperation in science and technology, education and culture is expanding and their cooperation in the United Nations and other international organizations is fruitful.

He also expressed appreciation for the Czech government's adherence to the one-China policy on the Taiwan issue.

There is no unsolved issue and fundamental conflict of interest between China and the Czech Republic, Hu said, noting that the continuing development of the bilateral friendly cooperative relationship serves the common aspiration and interests of the two peoples.

Hu proposed that China and the Czech Republic strengthen the bilateral high-level visits to increase mutual understanding and trust, and consolidate economic and trade cooperation between the two nations to boost bilateral cooperation in the fields of forestry, shipbuilding, manufacture of auto accessories and electric power generation.

China encourages big Chinese enterprises to invest in the Czech Republic and welcomes Czech enterprises to development their business in China, Hu added.

He also suggested that the two sides strengthen the cooperation in the fields of environmental protection, science and technology and tourism to enrich the relationship between China and the Czech Republic.

The two countries should also increase exchanges in the arena of literature and arts to further strengthen the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, Hu said, stressing that the two countries should concretize bilateral coordination in international affairs.

China is willing to join hands with the Czech Republic, taking the opportunity of the 55th anniversary of the foundation of China-Czech diplomatic ties and president's China visit to enhance the China-Czech relationship to a new level in the new century, Hu noted.

Klaus said ten years ago he was the first Czech prime minister to visit China after his independence, and is deeply impressed by China's changes in this visit. He said he completely agrees with Hu on his suggestions for developing bilateral ties, stressing his country will work with China to strengthen their exchanges and cooperation in politics, trade and economy, culture, education, transport, and travel.

He reiterated that the Czech government will staunchly support the Chinese government's stance on the Taiwan issue.

Hu and Klaus attended the signing of economic cooperation contracts between the two governments after their talks.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2004)