Jiang Zemin Meets Turkish Chief of General Staff

President Jiang Zemin Thursday spoke highly of the profound development of China-Turkey friendly contacts and cooperative ties since the two countries established diplomatic relations 30 years ago.

In a meeting with Turkish Chief of General Staff Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Jiang said that Kivrikoglu's visit will surely serve to further the development of the relations between the two countries and armed forces.

Jiang said the ancestors of the two nations started friendly contacts along the famous "silk road" as early as 2,000 years ago. The friendly ties have further developed in various fields over the past three decades, while the two armies have also maintained friendly exchanges and cooperation.

Noting that China and Turkey are two important nations respectively located on the eastern and western sides of Asia, Jiang said bilateral friendly cooperation will benefit not only the two peoples, but also regional peace and stability.

Jiang said he appreciated and thanked the Turkish government's adherence to the one-China principle and its support to China in international affairs.

He stressed that in the new century there are many favorable conditions and great prospects for the further advancement of China-Turkey relations.

Jiang said he is convinced that the friendly cooperative relations between China and Turkey will be pushed forward to a new stage through their joint efforts.

Kivrikoglu said since the two countries established diplomatic ties 30 years ago, bilateral ties have been further promoted.

The two nations, both with a long history, have played positive roles in maintaining regional peace and stability, he said, adding that Turkey is willing to further promote the relations between the two countries in various fields.

He said that exchanges and cooperation between the two armed forces should be strengthened at all levels, in a bid to help enhance the state-to-state relations.

Turkey will continue to stick to the one-China stance, he added.

Kivrikoglu is here for a five-day friendly visit at the invitation of Fu Quanyou, chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

(Xinhua 06/07/2001)