101.   But relations have remained cool, with mutual irritation over territorial disputes in the South China Sea and age-old suspicions barely disguised.

102.   During the talks, Prince Sultan said Saudi-French relations have remained excellent for decades and this will enable the two nations to decide on all issues easily.

103.   The Vatican insists that diplomatic relations have always remained in place.

104.   US President Bill Clinton led tributes which poured in from around the world, and said he expected US-Sino relations would remain steady.

105.   Turkey and Israel, whose relations remained dormant during decades of the Arab-Israeli conflict, boosted their ties to a strategic level last year.

106.   While spokesman Cui Tiankai said the visit could not resolve differences between the two powers, he said common interests would ensure that relations remained stable.

107.   Relations have remained tense since then.

108.   The dispute has marred the once cordial political ties, but economic relations remained intact.