China, Kazakhstan Sign Joint Communique

China and Kazakhstan agreed to strengthen cooperation in border issues, trade and regional and international affairs in a joint communique signed Wednesday in Alma Ata during Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji's two-day official visit.

The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to a final settlement of border issues that are said to be vital to the development of bilateral ties, pledging every effort toward the timely completion of demarcation work.

They agreed to set up a joint committee on cross-border rivers and continue dialogue and cooperation in the utilization of water resources across the border.

Upbeat about a broad prospect for economic and trade cooperation, the two countries pledged in the communique full implementation of economic and trade agreements between them to increase bilateral trade.

They highlighted the importance of cooperation in the natural gas and oil sector, calling for efforts to ensure the smooth implementation of joint projects. They also agreed to continue to study the feasibility of a China-Kazakhstan oil pipeline.

They agreed to work together to facilitate cross-border transportation of freight and improve customs services. They pledged to protect legitimate interests of each other's investors and create a favorable business environment for them.

In the document signed by Zhu and his Kazakh counterpart, Kasymzhomart Tokayev, in the capital Astana, the two countries also reaffirmed common stand on a wide range of issues.

Kazakhstan reiterated its stance that there is only one China in the world, that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole China, and that Taiwan is part of China. It promised not to have any form of official relations with Taiwan.

The Chinese side reaffirmed support for the endeavors of the Kazakh leadership in safeguarding independence, developing national economy and implementing social and economic reforms.

They expressed their willingness to join hands on bilateral basis and within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to combat terrorism, separatism and religious extremism, as well as organized crime, drug trafficking and illegal immigration. All these, they said, pose a severe threat to regional security and stability.

The two countries would actively push for the establishment of an anti-terrorism center in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, the communique said.

Both countries foresaw a bright future for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, saying the new bloc would help strengthen friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation among the members. They believed that the upcoming summit of heads of government of the organization would lay a solid foundation for the establishment of a new regional economic cooperation mechanism.

The organization groups China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

On international affairs, both sides urged the enhancement of the role of the United Nations and its Security Council. Both stressed the fact that the U.N., composed of sovereign states, is the most representative and most authoritative international organization. They said they oppose any attempt to interfere, under whatever pretext, in the internal affairs of any sovereign state.

The two sides pledged to further cooperate in international affairs to promote world peace, security and economic development.

The Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty signed in 1972 between the United States and the former Soviet Union is a cornerstone of global strategic stability and security, said the two countries. UN resolutions on the ABM issue approved in 1999 and 2000 are of great importance.

The communique also said that under the current situation, the prevention of an arms race in outer space is more relevant. The two countries vowed to work together to safeguard global strategic balance and stability, and to push forward the process of global arms control and disarmament.

During Zhu's visit, the two sides signed agreements on cross-border rivers, the prevention of double taxation and other bilateral affairs.






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