At the invitation of Tang, Aitmatov is on an official visit to China from Dec. 10 to 15. The two ministers held talks and signed an agreement on cooperation in fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism.

Chinese Vice-Premier Wen Jiabao, and Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Shi Guangsheng also met with Aitmatov.

The communique says the two countries have scored positive achievements in cooperation in political, economic and cultural fields as well as in trade and transport, and have laid a solid base for furthering bilateral ties.

The two sides note that the good-neighbor, friendship and cooperation pact signed last June by Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev raised bilateral ties to a higher level and opened up prospects for contact.

Both reiterate that to strengthen and deepen the good-neighbor, friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation is in the fundamental interests of both sides and also benefits regional and global peace, security and stability.

The two sides highly value each other's work on finishing domestic legalities for the enforcement of the bilateral border agreement.

The complete settlement of the border issue left over from the past demonstrates a high-level political trust, is in the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples, and widens prospects for bilateral ties, says the communique.

The two sides agreed to strengthen trade and economic cooperation. They agree to take concrete measures to implement their cooperative projects. They also agree to promote regional economic cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

The two sides will take further measures to implement the energy and resources cooperation agreement and strengthen cooperation in the areas of oil, gas, mining and agricultural products processing.

They will make joint efforts to expand cooperation in cross-border transport and customs clearance. They agree to work vigorously to open the Turgart post to citizens of third countries.

Experts from both countries will continue research on long-term cooperation over electric power. They also agree to discuss the possibility of putting Kyrgyzstan into the list of travel destinations for Chinese citizens.

Kyrgyzstan reiterates that it will consistently abide by the one-China policy, support China's efforts on national reunification, oppose Taiwan independence and its participation in any international organization for sovereign states. Kyrgyzstan will not establish official relations in any form with Taiwan or undertake any official contact.

China reiterates that it will support Kyrgyzstan in safeguarding its national security and stability and developing its economy, and will continue to offer assistance to Kyrgyzstan within its capability.

The two sides agree that to help the SCO develop and give full rein to its role in maintaining regional security, stability and economic cooperation is in the fundamental interests of all SCO members.

The two sides speak highly of the second summit meeting of the SCO held in June in St. Petersburg. They agree to work with other SCO members to take effective measures to implement the SCO charter and the agreement on an anti-terrorism agency in the region.

The two sides agree that terrorism, separatism and extremism are still the major threats to regional security and stability. The two countries will carry out cooperation on fighting against the three forces within the multi-lateral and bilateral framework.

The two sides will continue to work together to combat any form of terrorism including the terrorist forces of "East Turkistan," to safeguard peace and stability in the two countries as well as in the whole region. They agree that fighting against the "East Turkistan" terrorists is a very important component of the international fight against terrorism.

They also agree that world diversity should be acknowledged and respected so as to constantly advance the democratization of international relations. Countries and nations with different civilizations should coexist peacefully.

The two sides hold that disputes and conflicts among countries should be resolved through friendly consultation based on the principle of mutual respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of others. They also agree to establish the new security concept of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation.

The two also hold that the United Nations should play a leading role in solving major international and regional issues and agree to build up a long-term, stable and peaceful international environment.

(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2002)