(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-08-15 06:53

BISHKEK -- China and Kyrgyzstan signed here on Tuesday a comprehensive joint statement on bilateral relations, anti-terrorism, military cooperation, trade promotion and other major international issues of common concern.

The statement was inked on the occasion of Chinese President Hu Jintao's state visit to the central Asian country at the invitation of his Kyrgyz counterpart Kurmanbek Bakiyev, where he will also attend a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO), of which both countries are members.

BILATERAL RELATIONS

China and Kyrgyzstan have reached common ground that as the priority of both nations' foreign policy, continuously strengthening and deepening bilateral relations serves the fundamental interests of both peoples and is conducive to regional peace and stability, the statement said.

Bearing in mind such a perspective, the two countries signed a series of treaties and agreements from 2002 and 2006, marking the advent of a new era of the Sino-Kyrgyz ties, it said.

Both sides are committed to the guideline and principle prescribed in the deals, intent on implementing all accords between the two countries and promoting a steady development of the neighborly, friendly and cooperative relations, it added.

Both parties expressed the willingness to enhance a frequent exchange of visits at all levels, those of the highest-profile in particular, in a bid to strengthen inter-governmental ties and deepen a substantial cooperation in politics, economy and trade, security, science and technology, culture, education and health, the statement said.

In the joint statement, China invites Bakiyev to visit China at a time of convenience of both sides, and Bakiyev has accepted the invitation.

China and Kyrgyzstan also pledged in the statement their support for each other's policy and action in safeguarding national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

On the Taiwan issue, Kyrgyzstan reiterated its steadfastness in upholding the One-China policy and acknowledged the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China. It reaffirmed that Taiwan is an inseparable part of the Chinese territory.

Kyrgyzstan not only opposes any attempt on "Two Chinas" or "One China, One Taiwan", but also is against the so-called independence of Taiwan in any form, including the "de jure independence", the statement stressed.

Kyrgyzstan is also opposed to Taiwan's attempt to join any international and regional organizations, to which only sovereign states are entitled. Neither will it establish or engage in any form of exchanges at the official level with Taiwan, the statement added.

Kyrgyzstan throws its support behind China for all efforts it has made to realize national reunification, recognizing that the Taiwan issue remains China's internal affairs, where any foreign forces have no right to interfere.

On its part, China highly appreciated Kyrgyzstan's stance, reiterating support for the central Asian nation on its efforts in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as in maintaining stability and developing national economy, the statement said.

The two countries also pledged in the document to promote exchange and cooperation between the two legislative bodies, and to expand and improve the legal basis for the development of bilateral ties.

They also re-asserted the historic significance of border demarcation between the two countries, pledging to rigorously observe all accords and documents on this issue and commit to maintaining a lasting peace and friendship for generations in the border region, the statement said.

ANTI-TERRORISM

President Hu and Bakiyev both think that the fight against the terrorist group -- the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) -- is an important part of the international anti-terror struggle.

Both leaders pledged to adopt close cooperation to strike all kinds of terrorism including the ETIM, to protect peace and stability of the two nations and of the region. China appreciates and firmly supports Kyrgyzstan's efforts to strike the "three evil forces" -- terrorism, separatism and extremism -- in Central Asia, Hu said.

The two presidents agreed to seriously implement the extradition treaty between the two countries signed in April 1998,and to cooperate more closely to fight different kinds of cross-border crimes, in order to deal with non-traditional security threats and challenges more effectively.

TRADE PROMOTION

Promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation is of great importance to pushing ahead the relations between the two countries. Both sides agreed to strengthen the role of China-Kyrgyzstan Economic and Trade Mixed Committee, optimize the structure of trade, promote economic-technological cooperation and ameliorate the investment environment, so as to beef up cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefits in fields like transportation, telecommunication, agriculture, mining, energy and infrastructure construction.

In view of the increasingly frequent exchange of personnel and goods between the two countries, China and Kyrgyzstan will take measures to strengthen the functions of Turgat port, in order to make it open to citizens and vehicles of third countries and also to boost its transiting capacity.

The two countries also agreed to step up cooperation and coordination in international and regional economic and financial organizations, such as the World Trade Organization.

On the basis of the two countries' law, China and Kyrgyzstan will take steps to facilitate trade and investment activities of natural persons and corporations from each other and take effective measures to protect security as well as legitimate rights and interests of the citizens of each other.

The two sides will also take necessary measures to fight illegal immigration and facilitate the normal exchange of personnel between the two countries.

The Treaty on Long-term Good-neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation between SCO Member States, to be signed at the summit, will exert a positive influence over the relations between the member states and the regional situation.

Both sides agreed that China and Kyrgyzstan will take the same or similar stance on a series of major international and regional issues. They noted that the two countries should further strengthen their cooperation in the framework of the United Nations and other international organizations.

The two countries will both abide by the tenets and principles of the U.N. Charter as well as other universally-acknowledged international law and norms, and will promote the establishment ofa new security framework based on mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation.

The two sides stand for a peaceful settlement of international disputes, giving full display to the U.N.'s leading role in maintaining world peace and security.

They also held that the diversity of world civilizations and their developing modes should be respected.

Kyrgyzstan is the first leg of Hu's three-nation tour. He will observe a joint anti-terror drill in Russia along with other SCO leaders before he pays a visit to Kazakhstan.