China and the island country of Fiji agreed on Tuesday to
establish and strengthen the "Chinese-Fijian cooperative
partnership."
Visiting Chinese Premier Wen
Jiabao and his Fijian counterpart, Laisenia Qarase, held talks
in the wake of Wen's arrival in Nadi, a tourist resort in Fiji, and
announced the decision in a joint press statement that agreement
had been reached to promote long term and healthy development
of? bilateral relations in the 21st century.
Other achievements gained from the talks include Fiji's
recognition of China's full market economy status and the formation
of a joint economic and trade committee.
Despite the geographical distance between the two countries
Premier Wen described the Chinese -Fijian relationship as "a model"
between China and island countries.
Wen is the first Chinese head of government to visit such
islands in the Pacific Ocean while Fiji is the first among the tiny
island nations to establish diplomatic ties with China.
"Both in the Asia-Pacific region and in the category of
developing countries there is basis and need for us to enhance
bilateral ties," he told Qarase.
China will continue to develop ties with Fiji and support its
efforts to develop the national economy, maintain social stability
and promote the interests of island countries in the international
arena, he said.
Qarase expressed satisfaction with the growth of bilateral ties
and thanked China for the unselfish assistance to Fiji with its
socio-economic development.
One topic covered in the talks was the Taiwan issue. Wen said
the subject was closely related to China's core interests. "The
one-China principle is the political foundation of Chinese-Fijian
relations and a key to ensuring the further growth of bilateral
ties," he said. He added that China appreciated Fiji's adherence to
the one China policy and opposition to "Taiwan Independence."
Qarase reiterated that the Fijian government supported the one
China policy and recognized the government of the People's Republic
of China as the sole, legitimate government representing the whole
of China includingTaiwan.?
Fiji opposed any attempt to create "two Chinas" or "one China,
one Taiwan", and "Taiwan Independence", he said. Fiji would not
have official contact with Taiwan and they would honor? these
principles, he added.
After the talks the two governments signed a number of
cooperative documents. Wen and Qarase attended the signing
ceremony.
Fiji is the second-leg of Wen's four-nation tour which includes
New Zealand and Cambodia. He flew to Fiji after concluding his
visit to Australia earlier Tuesday.
Following is the full text of the joint communique:
Joint Press Communique Between the Government of the People's
Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of the Fiji
Islands?
1. At the invitation of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase of the
Republic of the Fiji Islands, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State
Council of the People's Republic of China paid an official visit to
the Republic of the Fiji Islands on April 4-5, 2006. During his
visit, Premier Wen Jiabao met with President Josefa Iloilovatu
Uluivuda and had talks with Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. The two
sides had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and
international and regional issues of mutual interest and reached
extensive agreement.
2. Leaders of both countries expressed their satisfaction with
the substantial progress achieved in the bilateral relationship
since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1975.
They pointed out that the growth of Chinese-Fijian relations had
brought real benefits to the two countries and peoples and
contributed to peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia Pacific
region.
Leaders of both countries reviewed the 1975 Joint Communique
between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the
Government of Fiji on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations
between China and Fiji, the 2002 Joint Statement between the
Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of
the Republic of the Fiji Islands on Consolidating and Promoting
Friendly Relations and Cooperation and the 2004 Joint Press
Communique between the People's Republic of China and the Republic
of the Fiji Islands. They agreed that the three documents were
important in guiding the future development of Chinese-Fijian
relations and expressed their resolve to continue to observe the
guidelines and principles of these documents.
3. To promote long term and healthy development of China-Fiji
relations in the 21st century, leaders of both countries decided to
establish and strengthen "China-Fiji important cooperative
partnership", respect each other politically, carry out mutually
beneficial cooperation economically and support and closely
cooperate with each other in international and regional affairs. To
enrich the "China-Fiji important cooperative partnership", the two
sides agreed to strengthen high-level exchanges and enhance mutual
political trust, step up mutually beneficial economic cooperation
based on their comparative strengths to promote sustainable
development for both countries and enhance communication and
cooperation on international and regional issues.
4. The two sides were satisfied with the agreements on trade,
economic and technical cooperation, quality inspection and
telecommunications signed during the visit. The Fiji side
considered China a WTO member committed to market economy and
recognized China's full market economy status. The Chinese side
appreciated Fiji's position in this regard. The two sides supported
and encouraged their enterprises to carry out mutually beneficial
cooperation in diverse forms in fishery, forestry, tourism and
agriculture and promote steady growth of bilateral economic and
trade relations.
5. The Fiji side reiterated their commitment to developing the
closest degree of friendship and cooperation with the People's
Republic of China. It reaffirmed its adherence to respect for
national sovereignty, non-interference in internal domestic
affairs, peaceful resolution of disputes and mutual assistance and
support in economic and social development as the guiding
principles in Fiji-China relations.
The Fiji side reiterated its government's commitment to the
one-China policy, recognizing the Government of the People's
Republic of China as the only legal government representing the
whole of China and Taiwan as a part of China. The Fiji side was
opposed to any attempt to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one
Taiwan", to "Taiwan independence" and to Taiwan's participation in
international and regional organizations that are only open to
sovereign states. The only relations Fiji will maintain with Taiwan
are in the promotion of unofficial economic and commercial
ties.
6. The Chinese side reiterated their respect and support for the
active efforts by the Fiji Government to develop the economy and
improve the people's lives. It expressed the hope that Fiji would
achieve economic growth, maintain ethnic harmony, ensure peace and
prosperity for its people and contribute to the stability and
prosperity of the region.
7. The two sides expressed satisfaction with their coordination
and cooperation in international and regional organizations like
the United Nations, the World Health Organization and the Pacific
Islands Forum and agreed to further strengthen their ties in the
interests of maintaining regional stability and promoting common
development.
Released in Nadi, Fiji on 4 April 2006.
(Xinhua News Agency April 5, 2006)