China and India on Monday signed a joint document of their
shared vision of accelerating bilateral ties and making joint
efforts in contributing to world development.
The document was signed by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh, who was on his first China tour since he assumed office.
Premier Wen
Jiabao?welcomes Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the
Great Hall of the People in Beijing January 14, 2008. Wen said that
Sino-Indian relations face important strategic chances as he met
with the Indian Prime Minister.
Officials and scholars called the document a milestone for
relations between the two countries.
The seven-page document, "A Shared Vision for the 21st Century
of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India",
covers extensive fields, both bilateral and multilateral. It
touches economy, politics, energy, nuclear, climate change,
disarmament, terrorism, religion, regional trade and integrity,
defense and border issue.
China and India "are convinced that it is time to look to the
future in building a relationship of friendship and trust, based on
equality, in which each is sensitive to the concerns and
aspirations of the other," said the document. It reiterates that
"China-India friendship and common development will have a positive
influence on the future of the international system."
The two nations believe their bilateral relationship in this
century will be of significant regional and global influence. They
will therefore continue to build their strategic and cooperative
partnership in a positive way.
Against the backdrop of accelerating regional economic
integration in Asia, the two sides agreed to explore the
possibility of commencing discussions on a mutually beneficial and
high-quality Regional Trading Arrangement (RTA) that meets the
common aspirations of both countries, and will also benefit the
region.
China and India will continuously promote confidence-building
measures through steadily enhanced contacts in the field of
defence, said the document.
It said the two sides welcomed the commencement of the
China-India Defence Dialogue and are satisfied with the successful
conclusion of the first joint anti-terrorism training between their
armed forces in December.
On the border issue, the document said the two sides remained
firmly committed to resolving outstanding differences, including on
the boundary question, through peaceful negotiations, and
reiterated their determination to seek a fair, reasonable and
mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question.
The special representatives of both nations shall complete at an
early date the task of arriving at an agreed framework of
settlement on the basis of this agreement, said the document.
China and India vowed to "bear a significant historical
responsibility to ensure comprehensive, balanced and sustainable
economic and social development of the two countries and to promote
peace and development in Asia and the world as a whole."
In the document, the two countries pledged to support and
encourage the processes of regional integration, welcome the
positive facets of economic globalization and to face and meet its
challenges. They advocated to establish an international energy
order that is fair, equitable, secure and stable, and are committed
to making joint efforts to diversify the global energy mix and
enhance the share of clean and renewable energy, according to the
document.
The two sides welcomed the opportunity for their outstanding
scientists to work together in the International Thermonuclear
Experimental Reactor (ITER) project. This is of great potential
significance in meeting the global energy challenge in an
environmentally sustainable manner.
The two sides took the issue of climate change seriously and
reiterated their readiness to join the international community in
the efforts to address climate change.
China and India strongly condemned the scourge of terrorism in
all its forms and manifestations, and in all regions of the world,
said the document. The two sides pledged to work together and with
the international community to strengthen the global framework
against terrorism in a long-term, sustained and comprehensive
manner.
The two sides supported comprehensive reform of the United
Nations, including giving priority to increasing the representation
of developing countries in the Security Council. China understands
and supports India's aspirations to play a greater role in the UN,
including in the Security Council, said the document.
China and India also appealed to the international community to
move forward the processes of multilateral arms control,
disarmament and non-proliferation.
"The document was another landmark event in the development of
Sino-Indian relations, signaling another big step forward in their
bilateral relations," said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin
Gang at a news briefing on Monday night.
He disclosed several memorandums of understanding were inked
between Chinese and Indian government agencies in macro-economy,
construction, railway, geological survey, agricultural banking,
land resources, medicine, quality inspection and commerce.
The two nations also agreed to increase high-level exchanges,
forecasting rosy prospects for bilateral relations.
According to Qin, China has invited Indian President Pratibha
Patil to visit China in 2009, and Singh has invited China's top
legislator, Wu Bangguo, and Premier Wen to visit India at
an appropriate time. The two countries' foreign ministers will
carry out mutual visits within the year.
The two sides recognize their responsibilities and obligations
to the international community. They are determined to enhance
mutual understanding and friendship, for the betterment of both
countries and to bring about a brighter future for humanity, said
the document.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after they
jointly sign relevant documents in Beijing on?Jan. 14,
2008.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
meets with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Great Hall
of the People in Beijing on?Jan. 14, 2008.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh attend the inauguration
ceremony of the China-India Joint Medical Mission in Beijing,
capital of China, Jan. 14, 2008.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meet the press after their
meeting in Beijing on?Jan. 14, 2008.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
hosts a welcoming ceremony for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on?Jan. 14,
2008.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh toast after they jointly
sign relevant documents in Beijing on?Jan. 14,
2008.
(Xinhua News Agency January 15, 2008)
