Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said in Shanghai Wednesday that China appreciates Georgia's adherence to the one-China policy.  

In talks with Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Salome Zurabishvili, who is paying an official visit to China and attending the 60th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Li reiterated China's stance on the issues of Taiwan and Tibet.

Zurabishvili said Georgia would as always abide by the one-China policy and firmly support China on major issues concerning China's national reunification and territorial integrity.

The Georgian government attaches great importance to developing friendly ties with China, said Zurabishvili. She spoke highly of China's proposal that all countries are equal no matter they are big or small, rich or poor, strong or weak.

Zurabishvili also expressed her appreciation for the Chinese government's support for Georgia in maintaining Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Zurabishvili said Georgia is willing to work with China in promoting bilateral cooperation in the fields of politics, economy and trade, security, anti-terrorism and anti-drug smuggling, as well as on international affairs. She also welcomed more Chinese companies to invest in Georgia.

Li said China was glad to see that the new government of Georgia headed by Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili treasures the traditional friendship with China and attaches great importance to the China-Georgia ties.

China pays great attention to boosting bilateral ties with Georgia, said Li, noting that China always holds that all countries, no matter they are big or small, rich or poor, strong or weak, are all equal parts of the international community and should pursue common development on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

The Chinese side is willing to make joint efforts with the Georgian government in pushing forward the bilateral ties, he said.

On China-Georgia economic and trade cooperation, Li said both China and Georgia are developing countries facing the challenges of developing the economy and improving their people's life. China will encourage and support more cooperation between enterprises of the two countries, so as to develop their economies in a complementary way, Li said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 29, 2004)