Tang, Blair pledge to enhance ties
( 2002-01-19 00:33 ) (8 )

British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday held talks with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and spoke highly of the two nation's bilateral relations.

During the talks, Tang said relations between China and the Great Britain are currently enjoying strong development momentum, with both sides working very hard to promote ties.

China attaches great importance to its relations with Britain and wants to promote their development for strategic reasons, Tang said.

As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, both China and Britain bear responsibility and it is very important for them to strengthen their exchange of views and co-operation on international and regional issues, Tang said.

Blair said his government attaches great importance to the development of its ties with China and that bilateral co-operation has been very fruitful in recent years.

Friday Tang travelled to Scotland for talks with the leaders of its semi-autonomous government.

During his stay in London, Tang also met his British counterpart Jack Straw on Thursday, agreeing to further promote friendship and co-operation between the two countries.

With reference to the international situation and regional conflicts, Tang said the September 11 terrorist attacks on the US last year show that the uncertainty in international relations has increased with the world now being plagued by terrorism, as well as by multinational crime, climatic change, poverty and other problems.

Also on Thursday, Tang delivered a speech, calling for closer international co-operation in meeting global challenges.

"At present, the world is plagued by a widespread economic slowdown with a substantial decrease in global trade, dwindling foreign direct investment, and further aggravation of poverty and social injustice," Tang told a dinner hosted in his honour by the Asia House of Britain.

"Given their global nature, these challenges cannot be resolved by relying on the resources and strength of only one country," he added.

Tang praised the "primary role" the United Nations has played in the international war on terrorism and the post-war reconstruction of Afghanistan.

As one of Afghanistan's neighbours, he said, China hoped to see an Afghanistan that would no longer breed terrorism and whose people would soon enjoy a happy and peaceful life. The Chinese Government will make efforts to develop its ties with the Afghan interim government and take an active part in Afghanistan's post-war reconstruction, he said.

Tang, on the first visit to Britain in five years by a Chinese foreign minister, arrived in London on Wednesday after visiting Eritrea, Ethiopia and South Africa.

(Xinhua)