China and Malaysia issued a joint communique on bilateral relations in Beijing Saturday. The full text is as follows:

Joint Communique Between the People's Republic of China and Malaysia

At the invitation of H.E. Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, H.E. Dato'Seri AbdullahAhmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia paid an official visit to China from 27 to 31 May 2004. The visit was also to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and Malaysia. During the visit, Prime Minister Abdullah met with H.E. Hu Jintao, President of the People's Republic of China, held official talks with Premier Wen Jiabao, and together with Vice Premier Huang Ju, attended the commemorative reception of the 30th anniversary of China-Malaysia diplomatic relations. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest in a friendly and cordial atmosphere, the leaders of both countries reached broad consensus on the issues discussed.

The leaders of the two countries noted with satisfaction the significant progress in cooperation in the political, economic, trade, culture, education, defense and other fields made by the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations 30 years ago. They underlined the importance of mutual trust and understanding and a spirit of dialogue as the basis for enhancing constructive and friendly relations. They expressed their shared commitment to consolidate the existing bilateral relations and work for greater cooperation between China and Malaysia in strategic areas to serve the fundamental interests of both countries.

The leaders recalled the principles enshrined in the Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations signed in 1974 and further reiterated their full endorsement and support for the Joint Statement on Framework for the Future Bilateral Cooperation between China and Malaysia signed in Beijing on 31 May 1999. They reaffirmed the significance and relevance of the two Documents in guiding the future development of China-Malaysia relations. Both leaders stressed that they would intensify efforts to implement the various cooperation programmes outlined in the Documents and have agreed on the following:

-TO MAINTAIN regular communications between the leaders of the two countries and at all levels including ruling parties, legislative bodies, government agencies, non governmental organization, the private sector and their peoples to sustain a comprehensive development of China-Malaysia bilateral relations. The two sides would continue with the annual consultations between their respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs, through which matters of bilateral, regional and international issues of common concern could be discussed.

-TO EXPLOIT the comparative economic advantages of their respective economies in order to strengthen and deepen economic cooperation.

-TO INCREASE two-way trade to a significant level by 2010. The two sides welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening the Cooperation of WTO/TBT and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Strengthening the Cooperation of WTO/SPS by the two countries. The two sides also agreed to resolve any arising trade disputes in the spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation in accordance with the relevant principles of the World Trade Organization. The two sides also agreed to strive for a balance of trade.

-TO RECOGNIZE China's full market economy status by the Malaysian side.

-TO WELCOME the participation of enterprises from both countries in the development of infrastructure in each other's countries. The Chinese side expressed its readiness to provide financing facilities for Chinese enterprises investing in Malaysia. The two sides will continue to encourage their enterprises to make joint investment in a third country.

-TO STRENGTHEN cooperation in the field of agriculture and agreed to step up the implementation of the Agreement on Agricultural Cooperation signed by the two governments in 2003. Cooperation in agricultural R&D in rice planting, aquaculture and other related fields would also be pursued.

-TO IMPROVE cooperation between the two countries in the field of transportation, energy and finance. The two sides undertook to enhance the management of labor cooperation following the signing of the MOU on labor in 2003.

-TO RECOGNIZE the significance in the application of science and technology in the development of both countries. In this connection both sides would pursue new areas of cooperation in this sector while strengthening the existing areas of cooperation under the Agreement of Science and Technology Cooperation. The Chinese side welcomes Malaysia's interest to collaborate in R&D projects and training, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and Chinese traditional medicine. The Chinese side would encourage Chinese scientific and research institutions and high-tech enterprises to take part in the Bio-Valley project of Malaysia. The two sides also expressed their readiness to continue to implement the Agreement on Space Cooperation and the Peaceful Use of Outer Space signed by the two countries. The two sides are willing to work together with other relevant countries towards the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization.

-TO EXPAND exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture, education and public health. The two sides agreed for both countries to renew the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Malaysia on Cooperation in the Field of Education and expressed the willingness to enhance the regulation on the intake of students studying in each other's country. The two sides underlined the importance of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Malaysia on Cooperation in the Field of Public Health, and decided to establish an epidemic reporting mechanism to enhance cooperation in prevention and control of infectious diseases. 

-TO AFFIRM the respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other. The Malaysian side emphasizes its adherence to the One-China policy and recognizes that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China.

-TO ACKNOWLEDGE the tremendous progress in China-ASEAN relations in recent years, the two leaders expressed their readiness to continue to strengthen cooperation in the ASEAN+3 process and the development of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area. The Malaysian side also expressed appreciation for China's active contribution to ASEAN's efforts towards closer integration especially in the development of ASEAN-Mekong Basin and the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

-TO ENHANCE regional and international peace and development, the two sides agreed to further strengthen consultations and coordination at the UN, ARF, APEC, ASEM, WTO and other multilateral fora. Both sides also agreed to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and to promote the settlement of disputes through friendly bilateral consultations and negotiations in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The two sides expressed their readiness to study the follow-up actions on the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

-TO ACKNOWLEDGE that peace, security and development are currently the main themes and concerns to the world. The international community should respect world diversity, advocate democracy in international relations, promote multilateralism, advocate settlement of international disputes through peaceful consultation and negotiation, and work together for the establishment of a fair and just international political and economic order. The two sides emphasized that the international community should undertake effective measures to safeguard the authority of the UN and support its leading and central role in major international affairs. Both sides also believed that the economic globalization presents both opportunities and challenges. Developing countries should enhance the South-South cooperation, promote North-South dialogue, and take pro-active approach in international economic cooperation so as to ensure that economic globalization develops in a way that is conducive to common prosperity.

-TO REAFFIRM their commitment in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stressed that the international community should enhance cooperation and address both the symptoms and root causes of terrorism. They also reiterate their opposition to linking terrorism with any specific religion or ethnic group. The two sides maintain that the international community should strengthen cooperation in addressing this menace.

-TO EXPRESS their deep concern over the situation in the Middle East and Iraq. They called on the international community to make greater efforts for the peaceful settlement of the issues in the region. The two sides also welcomed the positive progress made in the Six-Party Talks on the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula. The Malaysian side expressed its appreciation to China for its sustained efforts to seek a solution to resolve the issue. The Chinese side expressed its appreciation of Malaysia's role as the current Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

The Malaysian side expressed its appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to H.E. Prime Minister Dato'Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his delegation during his visit to China. Prime Minister Abdullah extended an invitation to the Chinese leaders to visit Malaysia at their convenience. The Chinese leaders accepted his invitation with pleasure.

Beijing, 29 May 2004

(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2004)