CROATIAN, CHINESE PRESIDENTS SHARE SIMILAR VIEWS OF KEY ISSUES

BEIJING, May 16 (Hina) - Croatia and China share similar views of the further development of bilateral relations and key global issues, Croatian and Chinese Presidents Stjepan Mesic and Jiang Zemin said in a joint statement after official talks in Beijing on Thursday. #L# Jiang and Mesic discussed the development of the China-Croatia relations over the past decade, since the establishment of diplomatic relations, and possibilities for the further strengthening and development of bilateral relations. The two presidents also focused on the situation in the regions and international issues, concluding that they shared similar standpoints. Croatia and China want to intensify dialogue at all levels, continue to develop and improve economic ties and intensify cooperation in all fields, the statement said. Croatia will continue to support the policy of "one China" and believes that the issue of Taiwan is a matter of China's internal policy, the statement said. The democratisation of international relations suits the majority of countries and Croatia and China are ready to cooperate with the international community in encouraging a new and just international order, the two presidents said in the statement. Mesic and Jiang pointed to the importance of the United Nations and expressed support to the fight against terrorism, saying that double standards had to be avoided. (hina) it sb