Chinese vice president meets Bhutan's foreign minister

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Bhutanese Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 24, 2023. [Photo by Liu Weibing/Xinhua]

BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Tuesday met with visiting Bhutanese Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji in Beijing. Both sides agreed to accelerate the boundary demarcation process and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Han said that China and Bhutan are friendly neighbors sharing mountains and rivers. He said that although the two countries have not yet established diplomatic relations, they have long maintained friendly exchanges.

He said the two countries have promoted positive progress in bilateral ties in recent years, following the resumption of boundary negotiations. Strengthening that friendship and expanding cooperation are in the fundamental interests of the two countries and in the expectations of the two peoples.

"China always respects Bhutan's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and is willing to strengthen exchanges at all levels and in all fields, expand practical cooperation on the economy, trade, culture and tourism, and accelerate the boundary demarcation process and the establishment of diplomatic relations with Bhutan to bring more benefits to the two countries and the two peoples," Han said.

Tandi Dorji said that the Bhutanese government attaches great importance to the development of relations with China and abides firmly by the one-China principle. Both sides have firm determination and a sincere desire to demarcate their boundaries and establish diplomatic relations at an early date. Bhutan is willing to maintain the sound momentum of cooperation with China in all fields and push for the greater development of bilateral ties. 

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Bhutanese Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 24, 2023. [Photo by Liu Weibing/Xinhua]