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China, Iran Sign Joint Communique
Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Iranian President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami signed a joint communique between the two countries in Beijing on Thursday.
The following is the full text of the communique: H.E. Mr. Khatami, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, paid a state visit to China from 22 to 26 June 2000 (2 to 6 Tir, 1379) at the invitation of H.E. Mr. Jiang Zemin, President of the People's Republic of China. During the visit President Jiang Zemin held talks with President Khatami. Premier Zhu Rongji of the State Council and Chairman Li Ruihuan of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference met with President Khatami. Besides Beijing, President Khatami and his delegation visited Urumqi and Kashigar of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The two presidents reviewed the relations between the two countries after the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1971 (1350) and were satisfied with the development of the friendly relations and cooperation between China and Iran over the past 21 years since the founding of the Islamic Republic of Iran. They stressed that relations between the two countries in political, economic, social and cultural fields had been developing along a sound and dynamic track, despite the enormous changes in the international situation. They reached common understanding on enhancing bilateral cooperation, opening up new prospects for the bilateral ties and establishing a 21st century-oriented long-term and wide-ranging relationship of friendship and cooperation in the strategic interests of the two countries on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence.
The two sides agreed to maintain high-ranking official contacts and exchanges at various levels and continue to hold regular political consultations within the framework of the political consultation mechanism that the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries put in place on 21 February 2000 (3 Esfand, 1378) in Tehran.
The two sides expressed their satisfaction with their economic cooperation and trade in recent years. Believing that their trade and economic cooperation were of great importance to the overall bilateral relations and had potentials for further development, they stated their readiness to upgrade such cooperation and they would explore new modalities of increasing and developing this cooperation. They will encourage mutual investment of all forms to expand the two-way trade and economic cooperation.
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in energy, transportation, telecommunications, science, technology, industry, banking, tourism, agriculture, mining, environmental protection and other fields, and encourage the relevant companies of the two countries to explore the possibilities of further cooperation in the field of petroleum and natural gas.
The two sides maintained that the Silk Road had laid a solid foundation for cultural exchanges between the ancient civilizations of China and Iran in east and west of Asia, and that the revitalization of the Silk Road would contribute significantly to the consolidation and development of the cultural, art, tourist and people-to-people exchanges and contacts between the two peoples.
The Chinese side welcomed the initiative of President Khatami for dialogue among civilizations and the designation by the UN of the year 2001 as the year of dialogue among civilizations. The two sides agreed that China and Iran, two great ancient civilizations in Asia, should enhance exchanges and cooperation in cultural, educational and social areas to develop and substantiate the dialogue among civilizations. These will be effective steps towards enhanced international cooperation in this field.
The Chinese side highly appreciated the consistent pursuance by the Iranian government of the one-China policy. The Iranian side reiterated that it would adhere to its position that there is only one China in the world and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the entire Chinese people.
The two sides believed that the world today is undergoing profound changes and the international community should make continued efforts for the lofty goal of achieving world peace and progress, in spite of the destabilizing factors and crises of this or that kind.
Both sides stand for world multipolarization. They stressed the need to establish an equitable, just, fair and reasonable new international political and economic order that is free of hegemonism and power politics and is based on equality. They indicated their readiness to work together for the establishment of such a new order.
The two sides underscored the importance of establishing an international community for cooperation, participation and dialogue and against the use or threat of force and imposition of economic sanctions to settle disputes between countries. The two sides support the important role played by the UN in safeguarding world peace and security and in helping developing countries raise their development level. The two sides stressed the importance of adhering to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter.
The two sides are committed to a world free from nuclear, biological or chemical weapons. They stressed that the international regime for eliminating and prohibiting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction should be permanently and indiscriminately applicable to all regions and countries with no exception. And at the same time both sides took note of the legitimate rights of any country for peaceful uses of nuclear energy, chemical and biological technology in a transparent manner under the supervision of the relevant international organizations.
The two sides emphasized the importance of realizing a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East with the belief that a sustainable peace in the region can not be attained without recognition of the rights of the Palestinian people, including the right of the Palestinian refugees to return to their homeland.
They believed that it is positive and constructive to rid the Middle East of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, the two sides support the efforts to make the Middle East a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons free zone.
They emphasized that the security and stability of the Persian Gulf should be safeguarded by the countries in the region free from outside interference.
The two sides stressed the necessity to implement all the UN resolutions on Iraq to the full and expressed their profound sympathy with the Iraqi people over their sufferings. The two sides once again appealed to the international community to render the Iraqi people necessary humanitarian help. Besides, the two sides expressed their support for Iraq's independence and territorial integrity and stressed the importance of letting Iraqi people decide on the fate of their country on their own.
The two sides held that an earlier solution to the Afghanistan issue was in the interest of regional security and stability and stressed the need to seek a political settlement through negotiation between the parties concerned and establish a broad- based government representing all factions and ethnic groups. The two sides appreciated the role of the UN and the Organization of the Islamic Conference in this regard.
Both sides expressed their concern over the manufacture, distribution and trafficking of illicit drugs and stressed the necessity of the participation by the international community in rooting out such practices in the region and the world.
The two sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and stressed the need for the international community to combat and root out terrorism and expressed their readiness to maintain close cooperation and coordination with international efforts against terrorism.
The two sides stressed the importance of respect for human rights and for the history, culture and religions of each country in defending and developing human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The two sides opposed interference in the internal affairs of other countries under the pretext of human right, the politicizing of human rights question and the adoption of double standards on this issue. In the meantime, the two sides maintained that to look at the political, economic, social, cultural ad civil rights, particularly the right to development in a balanced manner and in the right perspective is of special significance to all countries.
The two sides considered the visit to China by H.E. President Khatami as a major event in China-Iran relations in that it would contribute to promote further development of the existing friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries in the new century. While appreciating the warm hospitality of the government of the People's Republic of China accorded to the presidential delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, President Khatami invited President Jiang Zemin to visit Iran at his convenience.
President Jiang Zemin expressed his thanks and accepted the invitation with pleasure.
President of the People's President of the Islamic Republic of China Republic of Iran
Jiang Zemin (signature) Khatami (signature)
Beijing, 22 June 2000
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