President's 11-day visit significant, FM says
( 2003-06-06 09:53 ) (1)

President Hu Jintao's latest visit is significant for promoting China's ties with neighbouring states, accelerating the development of the Shanghai Co-operation Organization (SCO) and pushing for the establishment of new world political and economic orders.

That is the opinion of Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, who accompanied Hu on his 11-day high-profile visit and returned to Beijing yesterday.

He said the president's briefing on China's fight against SARS during the trip and its confidence in winning the battle had left the impression of a responsible government capable of conquering difficulties and had won wide understanding, respect and support.

Hailing the visit as "having profound significance," Li noted during an interview that Hu has made contacts with a wide variety of figures and talked about China's ties with its neighbours, developing countries as well as with major countries.

Hu's debut in the international arena also took him to the annual SCO summit in Moscow which approved the documents that greatly push forward the mechanism of the organization.

He also attended the 300th anniversary of the founding of St Petersburg before leaving for the informal dialogue meeting between leaders of the North and the South in Evian, France.

China "played a constructive role" in joining with other participants to seek solutions to such issues as the widening gap between developed and developing countries during the Evian meetings, said Li.

Hu spoke with US President George W. Bush, Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Jacques Chirac, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during the trip. He also enjoyed a breakfast with leaders of developing countries following the Evian dialogue meeting.

"President Hu's visit has deepened China's ties with both developed and developing countries," said Li.

He added: "The extensive contacts with leaders from other countries has enhanced China's communication and co-operation with them in international affairs."