On April 24, 2004, Chinese President Hu Jintao met respectively with Pakistani Prime Minister Jamali, former Mexican President Zedillo and former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir at Boao, Hainan Province, and held friendly conversations.
Hu Jintao said to Jamali that the presence of President Musharraf last year and the presence of Jamali this year at the annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) show the great importance attached by Pakistan to the Asian regional cooperation. Asian countries should make unremitting efforts to promote and establish a multi-level and multi-area regional cooperation pattern based on equality and mutual benefit in a gradually-open process, thus continuously making due contributions to world peace and development. Hu noted that both China and Pakistan are important countries in Asia. The comprehensive partnership between the two countries as a result of many years of cooperation represents precious assets of the two countries and peoples. The Chinese government cherishes the friendship with Pakistan and attaches great importance to Sino-Pakistan cooperation. Hu believes that through the joint efforts, China and Pakistan will surely witness new achievements being continuously made in their comprehensive partnership, thus making important contributions to peace, stability and prosperity in Asia.
Jamali said that the existence of the BFA shows the importance attached by China to cooperation with Asian countries and the forum will play an important role in promoting bilateral, regional cooperation as well as cooperation between Asia and the rest of the world. Jamali added that development of China is not only beneficial to the Chinese people but also conducive to peace and development of Asia and the world at large. To boost the friendly cooperation with China in all areas, including politics, economy and trade, is a strategic choice by successive administrations of Pakistan.
When meeting with former President of Mexico Zedillo, Hu highly complimented the important contributions made by Zedillo to development of China-Mexico relations during his presidency and his continued efforts to boost the friendship between the two countries after leaving office. Hu said that China stands ready to work together with Mexico to further enrich the content of the strategic partnership between the two countries and boost the comprehensive development of the bilateral relations. While speaking of enhancing cooperation with Mexico in economic globalization, Hu indicated that the development of economic globalization would further promote the flow of goods, technology and capital across the globe and make the economic ties among countries ever closer. This represents both an important opportunity for different countries and a severe challenge to developing countries. Both China and Mexico are developing countries and are making active efforts to cope with the challenges presented by economic globalization. Mexico has blazed a unique path to development and accumulated a lot of useful experience in the process. China hopes to enhance exchanges with Mexico so as to share complementarity and realize common development.
Zedillo said that the friendly cooperation between Mexico and China has been developing rapidly in recent years and the prospects for further development are inspiring. He has been personally keeping a close eye on the reform and opening process in China. The development of China not only represents an opportunity for expanding the mutually beneficial cooperation between Mexico and China but also will present an opportunity for and give impetus to development of world economy.
Hu welcomed the 8th visit to China by Dr. Mahathir and his second presence at the BFA. Hu said that this year marks the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia. The two countries trust and support each other politically and enjoy mutually-beneficial and reciprocal economic cooperation, developing hand in hand with each other. Malaysia has become the largest trade partner of China in ASEAN countries. The two sides have maintained close cooperation and coordination in international and regional affairs. In particular, the two countries have conducted fruitful cooperation in promoting East Asian cooperation and safeguarding the inherent rights and interests of developing countries. The good shape of China-Malaysia relations today cannot go without the direct concern and great support given by Dr. Mahathir. Talking about cooperation in East Asia, Hu indicated that China supports cooperation in East Asia and the important role of ASEAN in the process. China has made the enhancement of regional cooperation a basic element of its foreign policies toward neighboring countries and would like to continue to work together with related countries to fully expand the exchanges and cooperation with East Asian countries in all fields and make joint efforts for a better Asia.
Dr. Mahathir said that the BFA serves as a bridge of communication, understanding and cooperation among Asian countries and between Asia and the rest of the world. He hoped that with the concerted efforts of all parties, the forum would be able to promote the mutually-beneficial cooperation among the parties while expanding its own influence. Dr. Mahathir agreed with Hu's views on Malaysia-China relations and East Asian cooperation, holding that with the continuous expansion of the Chinese market, regional cooperation in Asia is showing great prospects for development.
State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan attended the above-mentioned meetings.