China and Tajikistan Signed Joint Statement
Border Issue and Bilateral Ties In the joint statement, China and Tajikistan agreed to speed up the pace of seeking an early settlement of the border issue between the two countries. They promised to do this on the basis of the existing border treaties between the two countries in accordance with relevant international laws. The border treaty, which the two presidents signed in the northeastern Chinese city of Dalian on August 13, 1999, and a new border agreement involving China, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to be concluded later Tuesday, form "a solid foundation" for a comprehensive settlement of the border issue between them, the statement said. They agreed to maintain the status quo at the present border line before a final settlement is reached. In the joint statement, the two countries also reiterated their determination to promote goodwill and cooperation on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Highly appreciating the smooth and sustained development of their bilateral cooperation in politics, economy, culture and other areas, the two countries stressed that further strengthening bilateral ties is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples. In the face of challenges in the new century, the two countries are ready to make joint efforts to further promote the steady development of bilateral relations. The two countries pinpointed that economic and trade cooperation is an important part of overall Sino-Tajik relations and vowed to take full advantage of their economically mutual complementariness to broaden cooperation in the economic and trade field. The two countries also agreed to expand cooperation between their military departments. "One China" Policy Tajikistan made pledge in the joint statement that it will continue to uphold its "one China" policy and support China's reunification cause. Tajikistan will not accept the rhetoric that described the relationship across the Taiwan Straits as "state-to-state," the statement said. Opposed to any attempt to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan," Tajikistan is also against Taiwan's independence and membership in any international organizations where statehood is required. Tajikistan reaffirmed its position that it will not develop any official relations or have any official contacts with Taiwan, the statement said. In the statement, China welcomed the realization of national reconciliation and the smooth presidential and parliamentary elections held in Tajikistan. In addition, China reiterated its support for the efforts made by Tajikistan and its leaders to safeguard national independence and sovereignty, maintain stability and tackle economic issues in the reconstruction period after the end of conflicts early this year. Human Rights Issue Both China and Tajikistan believe that every country has the right to choose its own political, economic and social systems that best fit its national conditions and to choose modes for safeguarding and protecting human rights. The two countries emphasized in the statement that no country has the right to interfere in the internal affairs of another sovereign state, or to undermine the sovereignty and independence of any other country under the pretext of "human rights overweighing sovereignty" and "humanitarian interference." In the statement, the two countries also stressed the importance of exchanging views on global and regional issues. The two sides said they "are willing to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in a bid to build up a just and fair international political and economic new order on the basis of the principles of the U.N. Charter and other universally recognized norms of international law," the statement said. Tension in Afghanistan The two countries expressed concern over the continued tension in Afghanistan and its adverse effects on stability in the region. Both countries consider that the "6+2" mechanism monitored by the United Nations is a channel of particular importance to explore ways of resolving the Afghanistan issue peacefully. The "6+2" system refers to a U.N.-sponsored mechanism involving China, Tajikistan, Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, plus Russia and the United States. "All parties involved should play a constructive role within the framework," the statement said. The two countries, expressing their support for all the efforts made by relevant countries and international organizations for the realization of peace in Afghanistan, stressed that the international community should create a constructive and favorable external environment for the peace process in the country, it said. Regional Peace China and Tajikistan vowed to further coordinate their efforts within bilateral and multilateral frameworks to fight national separatism, international terrorism and extremism. In a joint statement the two countries said they believe national separatism, international terrorism and religious extremism constitute grave menace to the security and stability in the region. They pledged to further strengthen coordination within the bilateral and multilateral frameworks in their joint efforts to fight against the above-mentioned activities and maintain peace and stability of the region. They also promised to carry out the cooperation agreement their two governments concluded in August 1999 and take effective measures to crack down on such cross-border crimes as illegal arms trading and drug trafficking. The Chinese president arrived here on Monday for a two-day state visit to Tajikistan, the first ever by a Chinese head of state to this Central Asian country. After the visit, Jiang is scheduled to participate in the fifth summit of the "Shanghai Five" here on Wednesday, to be attended also by the heads of state of Tajikistan, Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. | |
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