国内英语新闻:China to bolster cooperation with Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan: Chinese FM

TASHKENT, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Saturday at the end of visits to Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan that China and the three nations have pledged closer cooperation in trade, energy and infrastructure.

Yang described the visits as "fruitful," saying he and leaders of the three nations held in-depth discussion about how to step up pragmatic cooperation.

"Broad consensus has been reached," Yang said in a joint interview with Xinhua, China Central Television and China Radio International.

"The four countries agreed that it is necessary to look into new ways of cooperation, especially in trade and economy," Yang said.

China and the three countries pledged to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in telecommunication, energy, science and technology and infrastructure construction, he said.

They also decided to promote cultural, humanitarian and youth exchanges, and deepen mutual understanding, Yang said.

"The four nations are ready to work together to safeguard world and regional peace, stability and development," Yang said.

To that end, the foreign minister said, the countries pledged to enhance consultation and coordination in major international and regional affairs. They also pledged, he said, to strengthen cooperation within the frameworks of the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the China-Arab Cooperation Forum and the China-Africa Cooperation Forum.

The leaders of Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan expressed willingness to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, high-level contacts and political mutual trust with China, Yang said.

The three states said they valued their friendships with China and would deal with their relationships with China from a strategic and long-term perspective, Yang said.

The foreign minister visited Tunisia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan from May 17-22 as a guest of his counterparts in the three nations.

He also attended a Council of Foreign Ministers meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on Saturday in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.

Yang said the foreign ministers meeting was mainly aimed at making sure the SOC members are politically prepared for the bloc's Tashkent summit in June.

During the meeting, the SOO members agreed that they would steadfastly implement all of the important consensus concerning the SCO's development reached by their leaders, he said.

Moreover, they should effectively deal with constantly emerging threats and challenges so as to defend the fundamental interests of the bloc and its members, and help the bloc play a bigger role in promoting regional peace, stability and development, Yang said.