China, India Agree to Address Differences Peacefully

Home>>China

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

China, India Agree to Address Differences Peacefully

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

China and India agreed 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, according to a declaration made public by the two sides Tuesday.

"The common interests of the two sides outweigh their differences," the document says, stressing that "the differences should not be allowed to affect the overall development of bilateral relations."

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee signed Monday night the Declaration on Principles for Relations and Comprehensive Cooperation Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India, which is a guiding document establishing goals and guiding principles for Sino-Indianrelations.

The two countries are not a threat to each other, and neither side shall use or threaten to use force against the other, it says.

The declaration says that "the two sides exchanged views on theChina-India boundary question and expounded their respective positions."

They reiterated their readiness to seek a fair, responsible andmutually acceptable solution through consultations on an equal footing. The two sides agreed that pending an ultimate solution, they should work together to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas, and reiterated their commitment to continue implementation of the agreements signed for their purpose, including the clarification of the line of actual control.

The two sides agreed in the declaration to each appoint a special representative to explore, from the political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship, the framework of a boundarysettlement.

On the Tibet issue, the Indian side, in the declaration, "recognizes that the Tibet Autonomous Region is part of the territory of the People's Republic of China and reiterated that itdoes not allow Tibetans to engage in anti-China political activities in India."

The Chinese side expresses its appreciation for the Indian position and reiterated that it is firmly opposed to any attempt and action aimed at splitting China and bringing about "independence of Tibet".

According to an official with the Chinese Foreign Ministry, this is the first time for the Indian government to, in an explicit way, recognize that "the Tibet Autonomous Region is part of the territory of the People's Republic of China".

The two sides agreed, in the declaration, on the need to broaden and deepen defense exchanges between the two countries, which will help enhance and deepen the mutual understanding and trust between the two armed forces. They confirmed that the exchange of visits by their Defense Ministers and of military officials at various levels should be strengthened.

After the document was signed, diplomats from both sides said that the signing of this guiding document marked the relationship between China and India has entered a new developing stage.

Questions?Comments? Click here

China, India to Build "Qualitatively New Relationship"

China, India Sign Declaration on Bilateral Ties

News Analysis: Iran, Next US Target? ( 2 Messages)

Five Major Problems in China's Income Distribution ( 3 Messages)

China Adopts Draft Regulation on Vagrants ( 4 Messages)

Democracy in Iraq, through Ballot or Bullet? ( 7 Messages)

China-made HDTVs Sold to US Army ( 3 Messages)

Chinese Girl Granted US "President Scholarship Prize" ( 2 Messages)