China-Russian communique released
(China Daily)
Updated: 2005-07-04 05:37

NOVOSIBIRSK, Russia: China and Russia issued a joint communique yesterday, standing shoulder to shoulder on terrorism, UN reform and the Korean Peninsula's nuclear issue.

The communique, issued at the end of President Hu Jintao's four-day visit to Russia, recognized the profound changes the world has undergone.

Although globalization and regional cooperation have brought new opportunities, traditional security problems, as well as new challenges, pose a severe threat 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 communique said the two countries are determined to work with other countries for global harmony and development.

Terrorism

The communique reiterated the two sides' commitment to fighting all forms of terrorism, and called for strengthened international co-operation and the establishment of a long-term, comprehensive anti-terror strategy under the coordination of the UN and the Security Council.

China and Russia oppose linking terrorism to particular countries, nationalities or religions.

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

UN reform

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 give the UN a bigger role in solving major international problems, the communique said.

Both sides support reform of the UN, and believe that 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 said reform of the UN Security Council should be based on consensus through consultation with all parties.

To avoid a split among UN members, China and Russia oppose setting a time limit for Security Council reform.

Korean peninsula

The communique also reiterated the two countries' commitment to a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and the search for a peaceful solution to the peninsula's problems through dialogue.

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

The Six-Party Talks are the best and most effective way to solve the nuclear problem on the Korean Peninsula, the communique stressed.

Central Asia, Asia-Pacific

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

They also pledged to deepen and expand bilateral co-operation with Central Asian countries and make unremitting efforts to promote the economic development of those countries.

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

"The SCO has become an important factor in establishing a just and rational new international political and economic order," the communique said. The two countries are SCO members, along with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

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

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

(China Daily 07/04/2005 page2)