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)