Chinese President Hu Jintao and Uzbek President Islam
Abduganiyevich Karimov signed a joint statement in Tashkent Tuesday
on further developing a partnership of friendly cooperation between
the two countries.
During Hu's state visit to Uzbekistan, the two leaders exchanged
views on bilateral relations, economic cooperation and
anti-terrorism as well as regional and international issues of
mutual concern.
China and Uzbekistan issued the joint statement out of the
common aspiration of further developing and strengthening a
long-term and stable Sino-Uzbek partnership of friendly
cooperation, said the statement.
Both sides reiterated that expanding cooperation of mutual
benefit in various areas on the basis of adherence to the Purposes
and Principles of the United Nations Charter, the Five Principles
of Peaceful Co-existence and other universally recognized
international norms and bilateral agreements, is in the fundamental
interest of both peoples and will contribute to safeguarding
regional and global peace, security and stability.
Bilateral political relations
The two countries stressed their willingness to maintain
political dialogue and consultations at all levels and to exchange
views on bilateral ties and major international issues, said the
statement.
Both sides will firmly support each other's efforts to safeguard
sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, which
constitute an important part of their bilateral ties.
China and Uzbekistan should not join any alliance or group
detrimental to the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity
of the other side, or sign such treaties with any third party.
Neither side should allow any third party to use its territory
to harm the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the
other side, and no organization or group of this kind should be
allowed to exist in territories of either side, said the
statement.
Uzbekistan recognizes the government of the People's Republic of
China as the sole legal government of China, and Taiwan is an
inalienable part of China. The Uzbek government will not establish
any official relations with Taiwan and opposes the separatist
attempts of "two Chinas," "one China, one Taiwan," or "Taiwan
independence."
China appreciates Uzbekistan's efforts to maintain the security,
stability and cooperation in Central Asia, it noted.
Bilateral trade, economic relations
The cooperation on trade and economy, finance and investment
between China and Uzbekistan "is of great significance for the
all-round progress of bilateral relations," the statement said,
adding that the two sides attach importance to these fields and
will continue broadening and deepening the cooperation.
The statement said China and Uzbekistan, believing the
mutual-beneficial cooperation on the three fields has great
potential, stress that both sides must adhere to the following five
principles:
l????????
Broadening bilateral trade in accordance with their domestic laws
and relevant international treaties;
l????????
Boosting the development of bilateral trade in a balanced way;
l????????
Optimizing trade structure by increasing proportions of high-tech,
mechanical and electronic products;
l????????
Creating conditions for goods, services, investments and citizens
to enter each other's markets;
l????????
Strengthening cooperation on trade, economy and investment,
including encouraging mutual investments and transfer of
technologies.
The trade and economic cooperation commission between the two
governments, based on the principle of mutual benefit, should
broaden their cooperation in energy, transportation, agriculture,
irrigation, mechanical and electronic engineering, aviation,
textile, science and technology, and information sectors, the
statement said.
Enterprises of Uzbekistan are welcome to participate in the
development of China's western region, while Chinese enterprises
are encouraged to bid for construction projects of infrastructure
in Uzbekistan, the statement said.
The two countries will continue enhancing cooperation within the
framework of international and regional organizations on economy
and finance, the statement said.
China supports Uzbekistan's bid to join the World Trade
Organization (WTO) and will "provide necessary assistance in this
process."
Since cooperation on transportation, an important part in
bilateral relations, can help trade and economic relations develop
faster, the two sides will "give priority to the cooperation" in
this area, the statement said.
The two sides will strengthen capacities of cross-border
transportation by offering convenience in railway, aviation and
road communications.
The two countries indicate that China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
will "strategically benefit from the fulfillment of a transit line"
starting from Kashi, a city west of China, to Tashkent, capital of
Uzbekistan, the statement said.
Relevant departments of the two sides will cooperate to bring
Uzbekistan's potential in aircraft manufacturing into play, so both
countries can benefit from this field, according to the
statement.
Anti-terrorism
The statement said that China and Uzbekistan agree terrorism,
separatism and extremism still pose major threats to regional
security and stability.
China and Uzbekistan will, in accordance with the Shanghai
Convention on Combating Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism and
China-Uzbekistan Agreement on Cooperation in Combating Terrorism,
Separatism and Extremism, strengthen coordination and cooperation
among competent authorities of both countries and continue to adopt
powerful measures within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) in jointly fighting all forms of terrorism,
including terrorism waged by the so-called "Eastern Turkistan"
terrorist group comprising a number of secession-minded terror
cells, in order to engender peace and tranquility in the two
countries and in the region.
The two countries agree that the crackdown on the terrorist
force of "Eastern Turkistan" is a major part of the international
anti-terrorism campaign.
China and Uzbekistan believe that it is necessary to more
actively take well coordinated steps to keep fighting the various
forms of religious extremism that poses a practical threat to the
security and stability of the region.
The statement said China and Uzbekistan emphasize that the
stability and security in Central Asia are closely related to the
situation in Afghanistan.
The two countries urge the international community to actively
implement international aid program projects for the postwar
reconstruction of Afghanistan set forth in the January 2002
International Donors' Conference in Tokyo and March 2004 Berlin
International Conference, in order to rebuild Afghanistan as soon
as possible into a country with independent sovereignty free from
the plague of terrorism, narcotic drugs and foreign
interference.
China and Uzbekistan agree to cooperate in realizing the
aforesaid targets, the statement noted.
Cooperation on international issues
The statement said they share common interests in international
and regional issues, and agree to continue bilateral consultations,
conduct cooperation in international affairs with other countries,
and make greater efforts in maintaining peace and stability in the
region and the world as a whole.
The two countries agree that the purpose and principle of the
SCO are in accordance with the reality and development trend, and
its activities are conducive to cementing regional peace and
stability.
The two sides believe that the Tashkent Summit will be an
important milestone in the history of the SCO, and will create
opportunities for the active and practical cooperation within the
framework of the SCO.
The two countries are willing to work with other SCO members to
take effective measures in fighting terrorism, separatism,
extremism, drug trafficking, illegal immigration and transnational
crimes, expanding bilateral cooperation in economy and humanities,
promoting the relations between the SCO and other countries and
international organizations, and strengthening SCO's role in
maintaining regional and global peace and development, said the
statement.
On the basis of mutual trust, the two countries agree to
cooperate in various fields, especially in the fields of expanding
cooperation in economy, trade, investment and humanities.
They also agree to strengthen their collaboration in dealing
with international affairs, and cement the friendship between the
two countries.
Hu invited Uzbek President Islam Karimov to visit China and the
latter accepted the invitation.
The Chinese president arrived in Tashkent Monday night, the last
leg of his four-nation trip following Poland, Hungary and Romania.
He will also attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit
meeting scheduled to be held here on Thursday.
(Xinhua News Agency June 16, 2004)