On the afternoon of June 13, 2004, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with his Romanian counterpart Ion Iliescu. This is the second meeting between the two heads of state within ten months. The talks were featured by sincere atmosphere, in-depth theme and broad consensus. Both heads of state indicated that establishing a comprehensive friendly cooperative partnership between China and Romania is the common aspiration shared by both sides. The two sides will join hands to push for pragmatic cooperation and continue to promote bilateral ties so as to benefit the two peoples and enhance peace and development of the region and the world at large.
Prior to the talks, Iliescu greeted President Hu and his wife Liu Yongqing at the yard in the Presidential Palace and the two sides extended cordial greetings to each other. Iliescu accompanied Hu to review the Guard of Honor of the Romanian Army in the solemn national anthem of the People's Republic of China played by the military band, with the national flags of the two countries waving high in the air.
During the talks, Iliescu said that he has visited China for five times and holds deep affection for the Chinese people. Romania is pleased to see the rapid development of friendly and cooperative relations between Romania and China, and in particular, the two sides have witnessed frequent political dialogues in recent years, resumed growth of economic and trade relations and increased exchanges in culture, education, science and technology. President Hu's visit, which is on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, fully demonstrates the deep friendship between the two peoples and their common aspiration to open up a bright future.
After looking back on the development process of China-Romania friendly cooperation since the establishment of their diplomatic ties 55 years ago, Hu pointed out that friendly relations between China and Romania are not only a result of the joint efforts and careful cultivation by the leaders and peoples of the two countries, but also a hard-won precious treasure. He noted that the consensus the two heads of state reached during Iliescu's visit to China last year on the development of bilateral ties is being carried out and especially some key cooperation projects are being planned and implemented.
Hu said it has been a consistent guideline for the Chinese government to promote the development of China-Romania friendly relations and cooperation. The two sides may strengthen cooperation in the following aspects: First, to establish a dialogue mechanism between state leaders of the two countries so as to expand bilateral exchanges between governments, legislative bodies and the parties, deepen understanding and enhance mutual trust. Second, to further leverage the guiding role of bilateral mechanism of mixed council for economic and trade affairs in a bid to serve as a bridge between the business communities of the two countries and to encourage and support mutual investments. Third, to hold the Month of Romania and the Month of China, the Week for Romanian Movies and the Week for Chinese Movies as well as a variety of exhibitions in each other's capital city, Bucharest and Beijing, to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Romania. We may take the opportunity of designating Romania as the tourist destination for Chinese citizens to enhance cooperation in tourism. Fourth, to further intensify bilateral coordination in international affairs so as safeguard regional and international peace and stability with concerted efforts. Iliescu fully agreed the above-mentioned priority areas for cooperation, indicating China is developing with full dynamism and creativity and Romania is making active efforts to improve its infrastructure in a bid to join in the European Union. As a result, Romania and China should continuously explore new areas for cooperation and try to improve the scale and quality of bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Iliescu reiterated that Romania will firmly uphold the "one-China" policy.
Following the talks, the two heads of state signed the Joint Statement on the Establishment of China-Romania All-round Friendly and Cooperative Partnership and attended the signing ceremony of four documents including Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Cooperation in Tourism, Credit Agreement, Cultural Cooperation and other agreements. In a press conference co-hosted by the two heads of state, both leaders indicated that they thought highly of the development of China-Romania relations. Hu said since the establishment of China-Romania diplomatic ties 55 years ago, the two countries and peoples have been respecting, trusting, understanding and supporting each other, which may well be an excellent model for relations between different countries. Both leaders indicated that bilateral pragmatic cooperation should be enhanced to bring more tangible benefits to the two peoples and to promote world peace, stability and development.
Later that evening, Iliescu hosted a banquet to welcome Hu for his visit to Romania. State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and other Chinese delegates attended the ceremony together with the Speakers of the Romanian Parliament as well as the Romanian Prime Minister.
On the same day Hu also met with the staff of the Chinese Embassy, employees working for Chinese institutions, and representatives of overseas Chinese and Chinese students in Romania.
Hu arrived in the capital city of Bucharest on the midday of June 13 from Constanta, the second largest city in Romania. On June 12, he met with local prefect Gheorghe Martin in Constanta.