At the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council of the People' s Republic of China, Prime Minister Fatos Nano of the Republic of Albania paid an official visit to the People' s Republic of China from September 13 to 19, 2004.
President Hu Jintao of the People' s Republic of China and Chairman Wu Bangguo of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) met respectively with Prime Minister Nano, with whom Premier Wen Jiabao held official talks. The two sides reviewed the developments of bilateral ties since they established diplomatic relations 55 years ago and exchanged views on strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in various fields as well as international issues of common interest, over which they reached the following consensus.
Firstly, the two sides highly commented the achievements in development of bilateral ties over the past 55 years and stressed that the traditional China-Albania friendship is the valuable treasure jointly created by the two peoples and is a solid foundation for further developing bilateral relations. Both sides have decided to hold a range of celebrations to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.
Secondly, the two sides pointed out that to promote China-Albania cooperation in various fields is in line with the common aspiration and the fundamental interests of the two peoples. The two governments will push for all-round development of China-Albania ties in the new situations on the basis of mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, peaceful co-existence and other universally acknowledged principles of international law.
Thirdly, the two sides agreed to strengthen dialogue at various levels, enhance exchanges and cooperation between their governments, parliaments, local governments and social societies, deepen mutual understanding and trust and carry forward the traditional friendship.
Fourthly, the two sides stressed that economic and trade cooperation is a priority area in developing bilateral ties. Both sides agreed to give a full play to the leading role of functional departments of the two governments and the joint committee on economy and trade between China and Albania, and to encourage and support businesses of the two countries to strengthen contacts and deepen understanding, explore markets of each other and conduct cooperation in economy, trade and high and new technologies. The two sides will provide facilitation for natural persons and legal persons of each other to take an active part in the development of their economy according to their respective domestic laws and the international law.
Albania highly commented the assistance the Chinese government has offered within its available resources for the economic development of Albania.
Fifthly, the two sides would like to expand bilateral exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, sports, judiciary and military affairs and earnestly implement various cooperation agreements signed between the two sides.
Sixthly, Albania reaffirmed that there is but one China in the world and the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government of China while Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory. The Republic of Albania refrains from establishing official relations or conducing official exchanges with Taiwan.
China appreciates the above-mentioned persistent stance of Albania on the Taiwan issue.
Seventhly, the two sides reiterated respecting the road of development each other has chosen according to its own national conditions. China understands the Albanian government's choice of involving itself into the Europe-Atlantic integration process. China also appreciates Albania's adherence to the good-neighborly friendly policy, safeguarding stability and development in Southeast Europe and actively pushing for regional cooperation.
Albania attaches importance to the important role played by China in international affairs and highly commented the active contributions that China, as a permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, has made in safeguarding world peace and promoting stability in Southeast Europe.