China, Albania Sign Cooperative Agreements

China and Albania signed seven cooperative agreements on Monday in Beijing after a meeting between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano. The agreements include exemption from double taxation and cooperation in the fields of economy, technology, education, sports, radio and television broadcasting, and in chambers of commerce. Nano arrived in Beijing on Monday for an official visit and the first meeting between the two countries' premiers in 38 years. China and Albania established full diplomatic relations in November 1949. Wen told Nano that China considers its relations with Albania extremely important and hopes to strengthen bilateral relations on the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. He proposed that the two countries enhance political dialogue on various levels and expand exchanges between governments, parliaments, political parties and social organizations.