On May 14, 2003, Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with visiting Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase at the Great Hall of the People.

Citing “a friend in need is a friend indeed”, Wen said the visit of the Prime Minister to China at this crucial moment in the Chinese people's fight against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) demonstrated not only the importance he personally attached to Sino-Romanian relations, but also the Romanian Government's and people's support for China. He went on to say that the visit reflected the deep friendship between the two countries and would have a profound bearing on future bilateral relations.

Wen spoke highly of bilateral relations, noting that the two countries had always stood together and enjoyed mutual understanding and mutual support despite changes in the international situation since the establishment of diplomatic relations more than half a century ago. Calling the two countries friends in need, he said bilateral cooperation had expanded to many fields such as politics, economics, culture, education, science, technology and public health. He went on to say that China and Romania had made great achievements in their cooperation and would enjoy even broader prospects in the future, adding that   the new Chinese Government was ready to work with Romania to push friendly cooperation to a higher level.
　
Wen suggested the two countries should deepen bilateral relations by continuing to make efforts in three aspects: first, maintaining the momentum of exchange of high-level visits and consolidating bilateral political relations; second, actively expanding bilateral trade, investment and financial exchanges and continuing to widen trade and economic cooperation; and finally, conducting closer consultation and cooperation in international affairs and offering understanding and support on issues concerning the other side.

Wen expressed appreciation of Romania's adherence to the One China policy over the years, saying he hoped Romania would actively contribute to developing relations between China and the European Union after its admission.

Briefing Nastase about SARS situation in China, Wen said faced with the unexpected SARS disaster, the Chinese Government adopted a series of resolute measures showing its high sense of responsibility for people's health and safety. All levels of the government and the people had been mobilized in the orderly prevention and treatment of the disease and initial progress had been achieved. He said the prevention and treatment of SARS, a tough task, was at a crucial moment. However, China was fully prepared and confident of victory. He thanked Romania and many other countries for their moral and material support for China's fight against SARS. He said that the Chinese Government was ready to further strengthen cooperation with other countries and international organizations in combating the global disaster so as to contribute to the well-being and health of the world people.

Nastase said that over the past decade, the international situation and both countries had gone through drastic changes, but the two countries' traditional friendly relations had not changed. The two countries maintained close cooperation in such fields as politics, trade, economics and culture and Romania thanked China for its precious support over the years.

Nastase agreed with Wen's proposals on the further development of bilateral relations, saying Romania was ready to strengthen exchanges between governmental departments and wished to expand cooperation in such fields as investment, finance, highway construction and telecommunication. He added that Romania was willing to take part in the development of China's western areas, especially in the field of hydro-electricity.

He spoke highly of China's role in international affairs, and expressed hope for strengthening consultation and cooperation with the Chinese side.

He expressed sympathy over the outbreak of SARS in China. He said he appreciated the Chinese Government's efforts and effective measures to contain the epidemic. He said that he had brought medical equipment to support China's fight against SARS, adding that the Chinese Government and people would win the final victory.