China, Russia Pledge Anti-Terrorism Cooperation

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, November 30, 2001

China, Russia Pledge Anti-Terrorism Cooperation

A Sino-Russian working group on combating terrorism held its first meeting from November 28 to 29 in Beijing. Both sides pledged to support each other on the issue.

A Sino-Russian working group on combating terrorism held its first meeting from November 28 to 29 in Beijing. Both sides pledged to support each other on the issue.

Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to set up the working group during the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting this October in Shanghai.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and his Russian counterpart Anatoliy Safonov co-chaired the meeting.

The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on the anti-terrorism campaign in Afghanistan and elsewhere around the globe, and on how to enhance bilateral cooperation in this regard.

The two sides agreed that combating terrorism is a long-term battle, and all nations should take all measures to cooperate against terrorism on the basis of the United Nations Charter and other international laws.

They reaffirmed that terrorism poses a threat to world and regional peace and security, and affects world economic development.

Both sides stressed that terrorism cannot be equated with any certain religion, ethnic group or civilization, and no one should apply double standard to the anti-terrorism issue.

The two sides expressed willingness to cooperate and support each other in combating any form of terrorism, no matter where it happens or who organizes it.

Both pointed out that it is necessary to emphasize the leading role of the UN in the global anti-terrorism campaign.

The two sides agreed to continue the contact, consultations andcooperation in the bilateral and multilateral framework on anti-terrorism. They said they would do so in the spirit of the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation and in observance of the Sino-Russian treaty on good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation signed on July 16, and the Shanghai pact to crack downon terrorism, separatism and extremism signed on June 15.

The next meeting of the working group will be held in the firsthalf of 2002 in Moscow.

Chinese Foreign Minister Meets Russian Deputy Foreign Minister

Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan met Friday with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Anatoliy Safonov, who attended the first meeting of the Sino-Russian anti-terrorism working group here.

The two sides exchanged views on Sino-Russian relations, the two countries' cooperation in counter-terrorism and other issues.

Tang said the establishment of a Sino-Russian anti-terrorism working group is a strategic decision jointly made by Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which is also an important part of Sino-Russian strategic partnership ofcooperation.

He said that terrorism is a common threat to the international community, and China and Russia have maintained sound cooperation in combating terrorism.

Tang said that Sino-Russian relations have seen new developmentthis year, and under the current international situation the two countries need to enhance practical cooperation in various areas.

Tang said he believed that with joint efforts from both sides the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation would make new achievements in the coming year.

Safonov conveyed Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov's regardsto Tang, and said he agreed with Tang's view on Sino-Russian anti-terrorism cooperation and bilateral relations.

China, Russia Begin Anti-terrorism Talks: Report