China and Russia issued a joint communiqué Sunday on their shared stance on terrorism, UN reform and the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.  

The communiqué, issued at the end of President Hu Jintao's four-day visit to Russia, said the international situation has undergone profound changes and more and more countries support the multi-polarization of the world and the diversity of development patterns.

Although globalization and ever growing regional cooperation have brought about new opportunities, traditional and nontraditional security problems are posing severe threats to world peace and stability, it said.

Hailing the role of the China-Russia strategic partnership in the establishment of a new world order, the communiqué said the two countries are determined to work with other countries for global harmony and development.     

No double standards on terrorism issue

The communiqué reiterated the two sides' commitment to the fight against all forms of terrorism, and called for strengthened international cooperation and the establishment of a long-term, comprehensive anti-terror strategy under the coordination of the UN and the Security Council and in accordance with the UN Charter and norms of international law.

China and Russia oppose linking terrorism to particular countries, nationalities or religions and oppose the practice of double standards on the terrorism issue, the communiqué said.

China and Russia, both victims of terrorism, will further enhance cooperation in the fight against terrorism, it said.     

No rush reform of UN Security Council

China and Russia agree that the UN has played an irreplaceable role in safeguarding world peace and security, and that efforts should be made to allow an even bigger UN role in solving major international problems, the communiqué said.

Both sides support UN reforms, and believe that the reforms should be aimed at strengthening multilateralism, improving the world body's authority, efficiency and its ability to deal with new challenges and threats.

The two countries believe that reform of the UN Security Council should be based on most broadly based consensus through consultations as it concerns the fundamental interests of all parties.

To avoid a split among UN members, China and Russia oppose to set a time limit for the Security Council reform and any voting on any scheme that lacks consensus, the communiqué said.

The two countries hope the UN summit on Sept. 14-16 in New York can adopt resolutions that will demonstrate the continuity of goals and tasks formulated in the UN Millennium declaration, the communiqué said.

These resolutions should help countries step up efforts to realize these goals and tasks and enable the UN to improve its coordination capacity in key fields. They should also consolidate the collective security system in the 21st century, helping to setup a stable and fair new world order.     

Korean Peninsula must be nuclear-free

The communiqué reiterated the two countries' commitment to the realization of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, the search for a peaceful solution to the peninsula's problem through dialogue, and the safeguarding of peace and stability on the peninsula and in the region.

It also restated the two countries' support for further improvement of ties between the North and the South on the peninsula and the normalization of the North's relations with countries concerned.

The six-party talks are the best and most effective way to solve the nuclear problem on the Korean Peninsula, said the communiqué, which welcomed the recent efforts by parties concerned for the resumption of the talks.

The communiqué called on parties concerned to have patience and flexibility, and to actively push for an early re-start of the six-party talks and ensure its progress. China and Russia are willing to make concerted efforts for a peaceful solution to the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, it said.     

Peace in Central Asia, Asia-Pacific

On Central Asia, the two sides expressed "full respect" of the countries' right to independently choose their own path of development.

"Safeguarding regional peace and stability conforms to the long-term and fundamental interests of all countries in Central Asia and facilitates the healthy development of the situation all across the Eurasian region," the communiqué said.

The two sides vowed to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism. They also pledged to deepen and expand bilateral cooperation with Central Asian countries and make unremitting efforts to promote the economic development of those countries.

They hailed the role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), saying it was of great significance to regional security, stability and economic development.

"The SCO has become an importance factor in establishing a just and rational new international political and economic order," the communiqué said.

Both sides would take concrete measures to work with other SCO members to deepen and expand cooperation in security, economy and other areas within the SCO framework.

The two countries are SCO members. Other four members are Central Asian countries -- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

China and Russia also pledge to work together to maintain security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and strengthen dialogue, coordination and cooperation within the framework of regional groupings such as the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), the communiqué said.

The joint communiqué also touched on Iran, saying China and Russia firmly oppose the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and favor an early solution to the nuclear problem of Iran through diplomatic means within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The two countries support diplomatic efforts by the international community for a political solution to Iran's nuclear problem and stand ready to continue to play a constructive role in the process, it said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2005)