Speaking to the President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, the chairman of the PRC Jiang Jemingh said: \"China attaches great importance to the development of the friendly relations with Azerbaijan, and we are ready to make joint efforts to expand cooperation in all the spheres.\"

Jiang Jemingh noted that the contacts between the two countries age over 2000 years and it derives its roots from the period of the Silk Road. The Chinese people always had friendly feelings towards the Azerbaijani people.

The Chinese leader said that the declaration of the independence of Azerbaijan and establishment of diplomatic relations between Beijing and Baku have created favorable conditions for the expansion of the bilateral contacts. These contacts develop on stable and firm basis. He also said that it is possible to strengthen joint activity in the international affairs and in the framework of the United Nations as well. China is a member of the UN Security Council.

The chairman of the PRC said that he was concerned with the escalation of the conflict in Karabakh. Jiang Jemingh said: \"Continuation of this conflict, which resulted in great human and material losses, is detrimental for the both parties. We sincerely wish that Azerbaijan and Armenia settle this conflict peacefully as soon as possible.\"

In his turn Heydar Aliyev noted that China plays an important role in the international political and economic affairs, and Azerbaijan is interested in the study of the Chinese experience.

The leaders of the two countries expressed such an opinion that the relations between the two states must be established on five principles of peaceful co-existence.

On the same day, Jiang Jemingh and Heydar Aliyev signed a joint statement on the development of friendly relations between Azerbaijan and PRC. Agreements on air communication, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation, medicine, radio and TV broadcasting and tourism were also signed between the two countries.

On March 8, Heydar Aliyev met the Chinese Prime Minister Li Pengh. The issues of different aspects of bilateral relations and the situation in Azerbaijan and in the region as a whole were also touched upon at the meeting.

Translated from \"Azerbaijan\" newspaper, March 10, 1994