China, India to Build 'Qualitatively New Relationship'

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, June 24, 2003

China, India to Build 'Qualitatively New Relationship'

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The historic Sino-Indian declaration made public Tuesday proposed four principles that China and India would abide by for the promotion of a long-term constructive and cooperative partnership, and on this basis, the installation of a "qualitatively new relationship."

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee signed the Declaration on Principles for Relationsand Comprehensive Cooperation between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India Monday evening.

The four principles are:

-- Both sides are committed to developing their long-term constructive and cooperative partnership on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, mutual respect and sensitivity for each other's concerns and equality;

-- As two major developing countries, China and India have a broad mutual interest in the maintenance of peace, stability and prosperity in Asia and the world, and a mutual desire in developing wider and closer cooperation and understanding in regional and international affairs;

-- The common interests of the two sides outweigh their differences. The two countries are not a threat to each other. Neither side shall use or threaten to use force against the other; and

-- Both sides agree to qualitatively enhancing the bilateral relationship at all levels and in all areas while addressing differences through peaceful means in a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable manner. The differences should not be allowed to affect the overall development of bilateral relations.

The declaration says that friendship and cooperation between the two countries "meets the need to promote the socioeconomic development and prosperity of both China and India, maintain peace and stability regionally and globally, strengthen multipolarity at the international level, and enhance the positive factors of globalization."

The two sides agreed that China and India have a mutual desire for good neighborly relations and have broad common interests. They agreed to fully utilize the substantial potential and opportunities for deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, the document said.

Both sides agreed to hold regular high-level exchanges between the two countries, welcomed the positive momentum of bilateral trade and economic cooperation in recent years and shared the belief that continued expansion and intensification of China-India economic cooperation is essential for strengthening bilateral relations, according to declaration.

The two sides will set up a compact Joint Study Group (JSG) composed of officials and economists to examine the potential complementarities between the two countries in expanded trade and economic cooperation, it says.

The JSG would also draw up a program for the development of China-India trade and economic cooperation for the next five years,aimed at encouraging greater cooperation between the business communities of both sides, according to the document.

The two countries will launch a financial dialogue and cooperation mechanism to strengthen their dialogue and coordination in this sector, it said.

The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation at the World Trade organization, which is not only to mutual benefit but also in the broader interest of developing countries, the declaration said, adding that the two sides will hold dialogues on a regular basis in this regard.

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