China and India Monday evening signed the Declaration on Principles
for Relations and Comprehensive Cooperation Between the People's
Republic of China and the Republic of India.
Following is the full text of the declaration:
Declaration on Principles for Relations and
Comprehensive Cooperation Between the People's Republic of China
and the Republic of India
At
the invitation of Premier of the State Council of the People's
Republic of China H.E. Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister of the Republic
of India H.E. Atal Bihari Vajpayee paid an official visit to the
People's Republic of China from 22 to 27 June 2003.
During this visit, Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with Prime
Minister Vajpayee. Their Excellencies President Hu Jintao of the
People's Republic of China, Chairman Jiang Zemin of the Central
Military Commission, Chairman Wu Bangguo of the Standing Committee
of the National People's Congress and Vice President Zeng Qinghong
of the People's Republic of China held separate meetings with Prime
Minister Vajpayee. The talks and meetings were held in a sincere
and friendly atmosphere.
Leaders from both countries noted with satisfaction the progress
made over recent years in bilateral relations. This is conducive
not only to their respective development, but also to regional
stability and prosperity. The two sides recalled the historical
depth of their friendly contacts. China and India are the two
largest developing countries of the world with centuries-old
civilization, unique history and similar objectives. Both noted
that the sustained economic and social development in the two
countries, representing one third of humanity is vital for ensuring
peace, stability and prosperity not only in Asia but also in the
whole world.
The two sides agreed that China and India have a mutual desire for
good neighborly relations and have broad common interests. They
agreed to fully utilize the substantial potential and opportunities
for deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.
Friendship and cooperation between the two countries meets the need
to:
- promote the socio-economic development and prosperity of both
China and India;
- maintain peace and stability regionally and globally;
- strengthen multipolarity at the international level; and
- enhance the positive factors of globalization.
Both sides affirmed that they would abide by the following
principles, promote a long-term constructive and cooperative
partnership and, on this basis, build a qualitatively new
relationship:
- Both sides are committed to developing their long-term
constructive and cooperative partnership on the basis of the Five
Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, mutual respect and sensitivity
for each other's concerns and equality;
- As two major developing countries, China and India have a broad
mutual interest in the maintenance of peace, stability and
prosperity in Asia and the world, and a mutual desire in developing
wider and closer cooperation and understanding in regional and
international affairs;
- The common interests of the two sides outweigh their
differences. The two countries are not a threat to each other.
Neither side shall use or threaten to use force against the other;
and
- Both sides agree to qualitatively enhancing the bilateral
relationship at all levels and in all areas while addressing
differences through peaceful means in a fair, reasonable and
mutually acceptable manner. The differences should not be allowed
to affect the overall development of bilateral relations.
Both sides agreed to hold regular high-level exchanges between the
two countries. This will greatly enhance mutual understanding and
expand bilateral relations. With a view to deepening their
coordination and dialogues on bilateral, regional and international
issues, both sides agreed on the need for annual meetings between
Foreign Ministers of the two countries. They also agreed that
personnel exchanges and friendly contacts between ministries,
parliaments and political parties of the two countries should be
further enhanced.
The two sides welcomed the positive momentum of bilateral trade and
economic cooperation in recent years and shared the belief that
continued expansion and intensification of China-India economic
cooperation is essential for strengthening bilateral relations.
Both sides shared the view that existing complementarities between
their two economies provide an important foundation and offer broad
prospects for further enhancing their economic relations. In order
to promote trade and economic cooperation, both sides will take
necessary measures consistent with their national laws and rules
and international obligations to remove impediments to bilateral
trade and investment. They reaffirmed the importance of the
ministerial meeting of the Joint Economic Group (JEG) and agreed to
hold the next (seventh) JEG meeting within the year.
The two sides will set up a compact Joint Study Group (JSG)
composed of officials and economists to examine the potential
complementarities between the two countries in expanded trade and
economic cooperation. The JSG would also draw up a program for the
development of China-India trade and economic cooperation for the
next five years, aimed at encouraging greater cooperation between
the business communities of both sides. The Group should present a
study report and recommendations to the two Governments on measures
for comprehensive trade and economic cooperation by the end of June
2004.
The two countries will launch a financial dialogue and cooperation
mechanism to strengthen their dialogue and coordination in this
sector.
The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation at the World Trade
Organization, which is not only to mutual benefit but also in the
broader interest of developing countries. The two sides will hold
dialogues on a regular basis in this regard.
Historical and cultural links between China and India will be
strengthened, inter-alia, through the promotion of exchanges in
culture, education, science and technology, media, youth and
people-to-people relations. They agreed to set up Cultural Centers
in each other's capitals and facilitate their establishment.
Both sides will work towards the enhancement of direct air and
shipping links, tourism, exchange hydrological data in flood season
on common rivers as agreed, cooperation in agriculture, dairy, food
processing, health and other sectors.
They agreed on the need to broaden and deepen defense exchanges
between the two countries, which will help enhance and deepen the
mutual understanding and trust between the two armed forces. They
confirmed that the exchange of visits by their Defense Ministers
and of military officials at various levels should be
strengthened.
The two sides exchanged views on the China-India boundary question
and expounded their respective positions. They reiterated their
readiness to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable
solution through consultations on an equal footing. The two sides
agreed that pending an ultimate solution, they should work together
to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas, and
reiterated their commitment to continue implementation of the
agreements signed for this purpose, including the clarification of
the line of actual control.
The two sides agreed to each appoint a special representative to
explore, from the political perspective of the overall bilateral
relationship, the framework of a boundary settlement.
The Indian side recognizes that the Tibet Autonomous Region is part
of the territory of the People's Republic of China and reiterates
that it does not allow Tibetans to engage in anti-China political
activities in India. The Chinese side expresses its appreciation
for the Indian position and reiterates that it is firmly opposed to
any attempt and action aimed at splitting China and bringing about
"independence of Tibet".
The Indian side recalled that India was among the first countries
to recognize that there is one China and its one China policy
remains unaltered. The Chinese side expressed its appreciation of
the Indian position.
China and India recognized the primacy of maintaining international
peace. This is a prerequisite for the socio-economic development of
all developing countries, including China and India. The world is
marked by diversity. Every country has the right to choose its own
political system and path to development. As two major developing
countries, China and India acknowledged the importance of their
respective roles in the shaping of a new international political
and economic order. The international community must help the
developing countries to eliminate poverty and narrow the gap
between the North and the South through dialogue and cooperation so
as to achieve common prosperity.
The two sides acknowledged the vital importance of the role of the
United Nations in world peace, stability and development. They are
determined to continue their efforts in strengthening the UN
system. They reaffirmed their readiness to work together to promote
reform of the UN. In reform of the UN Security Council, priority
should be given to enhancing representation of the developing
countries.
Both sides stood for continued multilateral arms control and
disarmament process, undiminished and equal security for all at
progressively lower levels of armament and for multilateral
negotiations aimed at nuclear disarmament and elimination of
nuclear weapons. They are firmly opposed to introduction of weapons
in outer space, use or threat of force against space-based objects
and support cooperation in development of space technology for
peaceful purposes.
The two sides recognized the threat posed by terrorism to them and
to global peace and security. They resolutely condemned terrorism
in any form. The struggle between the international community and
global terrorism is a comprehensive and sustained one, with the
ultimate objective of eradication of terrorism in all regions. This
requires strengthening the global legal framework against
terrorism. Both sides shall also promote cooperation on
counter-terrorism through their bilateral dialogue mechanism.
China and India face special and similar challenges in their
efforts to protect the environment while simultaneously forging
ahead with rapid social and economic development of their
countries. In this context, the two sides agreed to work together
in a practical manner to cooperate on preserving the environment
and ensuring sustained development and to coordinate positions on
climate change, biodiversity and other issue in relevant
multilateral fora.
The two sides supported multilateral cooperation in Asia, believing
that such cooperation promote mutually beneficial exchanges,
economic growth as well as greater cohesion among Asian countries.
The two sides viewed positively each other's participation in
regional and sub-regional multilateral cooperation processes in
Asia.
The two sides stated that the improvement and development of
China-India relations is not targeted at any third country and does
not affect either country's existing friendly relations and
cooperation with other countries.
The two sides agreed that the official visit of the Prime Minister
of India to the People's Republic of China has been a success, has
contributed to enhancing mutual understanding and trust between the
Governments, leaders and peoples of the two countries, and marks a
new step forward in strengthening the all-round cooperation between
China and India in the new century.
Prime Minister Vajpayee invited Premier Wen Jiabao to visit India
at a mutually convenient time and conveyed to President Hu Jintao
an invitation from President Abdul Kalam to visit India. The
Chinese side accepted the invitations with appreciation. The dates
of the visits will be settled through diplomatic channels.
On
behalf of the Government and the people of India, H.E. Prime
Minister Atal Bihari Vajapyee thanked the Government and the people
of China for the warm welcome received by him and his
delegation.
Signed in Beijing on 23 June 2003 in the Chinese, Hindi and English
languages.
(Wen Jiabao) Premier of the State Council, The People's Republic of
China
(Atal Bihari Vajpayee) Prime Minister, The Republic of India
(Xinhua News Agency June 25, 2003)