Jiang Proposes Collaboration on Development, Security, TradeThe summit meeting of the "Shanghai Five,'' originally formed to resolve border issues, has now shifted its focus to promoting co-operation in political, economic and ecological areas.This trend was fully reflected on the summit held yesterday in the Tajikistan capital of Dushanbe. The leaders of the five nations -- Chinese President Jiang Zemin, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmonov, Russian President Vladimir Putin, President of Kazakhstan Nurlsultan Nazarbayev and President of Kyrgyzstan Askar Akayev -- discussed strengthening co-operation among these five adjacent countries. Jiang put forward four proposals to turn their relations into sustained and effective support for the stability, security and development in the entire Eurasia region. Improving the mechanism of "Shanghai Five.'' Holding multi-level meeting in various fields to promote specific co-operation between the five nations. Deepening co-operation in security areas. Taking joint measures to fight against forces of separatism, terrorism and extremism in the region. Strengthening the support between five nations to safeguard national unification and sovereignty. Promoting bilateral and multilateral economic and trade co-operation. China's strategic of development of western areas provides all five nations with opportunities, Jiang said, calling on the expansion of mutual investment. "Chinese enterprises are encouraged to investment in Russia and central Asian countries,'' Jiang said. Strengthening co-operation in the international community for consultation on important international issues and promotion of justice in the world. Satisfied with current state of relations among the five countries, the leaders expressed their willingness to expand multilateral co-operation. Rakhmonov said tensions in Afghanistan should be settled in peaceful way under the guidance of the United Nations and with the participation of the countries concerned. Putin said that the US attempt to develop national and theater missile defence systems do not conform with the global trend towards peace and development and would adversely impact international and regional security by causing a new arms race. Nazarbayev said that the authoritative role of the United Nations in international affairs should be protected. Akayev said the development of trade relations between the countries in the region would underpin security. President of Uzbekistan Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov, an observer at the summit, said that Uzbekistan is open and interested in expanding co-operation with any state demonstrating a sincere interest in stability and peace. The five leaders signed a joint statement Wednesday after the summit. They voiced their support for China's position on opposing the inclusion of China's Taiwan Province in theater missile defence system in any form by any country. The parties voiced their support for China's efforts to realize reunification based on the one-China policy. They also backed Russia's efforts to stamp out anti-terrorist activities in Chechenya. The five nations reaffirmed that they would continue efforts to crack down on international terrorism, drug trafficking, arms smuggling, illegal immigration and other forms of cross-border crimes. All participants reiterated that they would faithfully follow the principle of respecting human rights set out in the United Nations Charter and other international documents. They also stressed that the protection of human rights should not be used as an excuse to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. The parties supported the initiative of Uzbekistan to establish a Central Asia nuclear-free zone. Also yesterday, China, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan signed an agreement on the border junctions of the three countries. Before the summit, Jiang held separate meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nurlsultan Nazarbayev and President of Kyrgyzstan Askar Akayev. Later yesterday, Jiang left for Ashkhabad (Ashgabat -- by Foreign Ministry source, please check the final version of Xinhua -- reporter)>> and kicked off his state visit to Turkmenistan. |
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