On June 23, 2003, China and India signed the
Declaration on Principles for Relations and Comprehensive
Cooperation Between the People's Republic of China and the
Republic of India. The following is the full text of the
declaration:
At the invitation of Premier of
the State Council of the People's Republic of China H.E. Wen
Jiabao, Prime Minister of the Republic of India H.E. Atal
Bihari Vajpayee paid an official visit to the People's
Republic of China from 22 to 27 June 2003.
During this visit, Premier Wen Jiabao held
talks with Prime Minister Vajapayee. Their Excellencies
President Hu Jintao of the People's Republic of China,
Chairman Jiang Zemin of the Central Military Commission,
Chairman Wu Bangguo of the Standing Committee of the
National People's Congress and Vice President Zeng
Qinghongof the People's Republic of China held separate
meetings with Prime Minister Vajpayee. The talks and
meetings were held in a sincere and friendly atmosphere.
Leaders from both countries noted with
satisfaction the progress made over recent years in
bilateral relations. This is conducive not only to their
respective development, but also to regional stability and
prosperity. The two sides recalled the historical depth of
their friendly contacts. China and India are the two largest
developing countries of the world with centuries-old
civilization, unique history and similar objectives. Both
noted that the sustained economic and social development in
the two countries, representing one third of humanity is
vital for ensuring peace, stability and prosperity not only
in Asia but also in the whole world.
The two
sides agreed that China and India have a mutual desire for
good neighborly relations and have broad common interests.
They agreed to fully utilize the substantial potential and
opportunities for deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.
Friendship and cooperation between the two
countries meets the need to:
promote the
socio-economic development and prosperity of both China and
India;
maintain peace and stability regionally
and globally;
strengthen multipolarity at the
international level; and
enhance the positive
factors of globalization.
Both sides affirmed
that they would abide by the following principles, promote a
long-term constructive and cooperative partnership and, on
this basis, build a qualitatively new relationship:
Both sides are committed to developing their
long-term constructive and cooperative partnership on the
basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, mutual
respect and sensitivity for each other's concerns and
equality;
As two major developing countries,
China and India have a broad mutual interest in the
maintenance of peace, stability and prosperity in Asia and
the world, and a mutual desire in developing wider and
closer cooperation and understanding in regional and
international affairs;
The common interests of
the two sides outweigh their differences. The two countries
are not a threat to each other. Neither side shall use or
threaten to use force against the other; and
Both sides agree to qualitatively enhancing
the bilateral relationship at all levels and in all areas
while addressing differences through peaceful means in a
fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable manner. The
differences should not be allowed to affect the overall
development of bilateral relations.
Both sides
agreed to hold regular high-level exchanges between the two
countries. This will greatly enhance mutual understanding
and expand bilateral relations. With a view to deepening
their coordination and dialogues on bilateral, regional and
international issues, both sides agreed on the need for
annual meetings between Foreign Ministers of the two
countries. They also agreed that personnel exchanges and
friendly contacts between ministries, parliaments and
political parties of the two countries should be further
enhanced.
The two sides welcomed the positive
momentum of bilateral trade and economic cooperation in
recent years and shared the belief that continued expansion
and intensification of China-India economic cooperation is
essential for strengthening bilateral relations.
Both sides shared the view that existing
complementarities between their two economies provide an
important foundation and offer broad prospects for further
enhancing their economic relations. In order to promote
trade and economic cooperation, both sides will take
necessary measures consistent with their national laws and
rules and international obligations to remove impediments to
bilateral trade and investment. They reaffirmed the
importance of the ministerial meeting of the Joint Economic
Group(JEG) and agreed to hold the next (seventh) JEG meeting
within the year.
The two sides will set up a
compact Joint Study Group (JSG) composed of officials and
economists to examine the potential complementarities
between the two countries in expanded trade and economic
cooperation. The JSG would also draw up a programme for the
development of China-India trade and economic cooperation
for the next five years, aimed at encouraging greater
cooperation between the business communities of both sides.
The Group should present a study report and recommendations
to the two Governments on measures for comprehensive trade
and economic cooperation by the end of June 2004.
The two countries will launch a financial
dialogue and cooperation mechanism to strengthen their
dialogue and coordination in this sector.
The
two sides agreed to enhance cooperation at the World Trade
organization, which is not only to mutual benefit but also
in the broader interest of developing countries. The two
sides will hold dialogues on a regular basis in this regard.
Historical and cultural links between China
and India will be strengthened, inter-alia, through the
promotion of exchanges in culture, education, science and
technology, media, youth and people-to-people relations.
They agreed to set up Cultural Centers in each other's
capitals and facilitate their establishment.
Both sides will work towards the enhancement
of direct air and shipping links, tourism, exchange
hydrological data in flood season on common rivers as
agreed, cooperation in agriculture, dairy, food processing,
health and other sectors.
They agreed on the
need to broaden and deepen defense exchanges between the two
countries, which will help enhance and deepen the mutual
understanding and trust between the two armed forces. They
confirmed that the exchange of visits by their Defense
Ministers and of military officials at various levels should
be strengthened.
The two sides exchanged views
on the China-India boundary question and expounded their
respective positions. They reiterated their readiness to
seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution
through consultations on an equal footing. The two sides
agreed that pending an ultimate solution, they should work
together to maintain peace and tranquility in the border
areas, and reiterated their commitment to continue
implementation of the agreements signed for this purpose,
including the clarification of the line of actual control.
The two sides agreed to each appoint a special
representative to explore, from the political perspective of
the overall bilateral relationship, the framework of a
boundary settlement.
The Indian side
recognizes that the Tibet Autonomous Region is part of the
territory of the People's Republic of China and reiterates
that it does not allow Tibetans to engage in anti-China
political activities in India. The Chinese side expresses
its appreciation for the Indian position and reiterates that
it is firmly opposed to any attempt and action aimed at
splitting China and bringing about "independence of
Tibet".
The Indian side recalled that
India was among the first countries to recognize that there
is one China and its one China policy remains unaltered. The
Chinese side expressed its appreciation of the Indian
position.
China and India recognized the
primacy of maintaining international peace. This is a
prerequisite for the socio-economic development of all
developing countries, including China and India. The world
is marked by diversity. Every country has the right to
choose its own political system and path to development. As
two major developing countries, China and India acknowledged
the importance of their respective roles in the shaping of a
new international political and economic order. The
international community must help the developing countries
to eliminate poverty and narrow the gap between the North
and the South through dialogue and cooperation so as to
achieve common prosperity.
The two sides
acknowledged the vital importance of the role of the United
Nations in world peace, stability and development. They are
determined to continue their efforts in strengthening the UN
system. They reaffirmed their readiness to work together to
promote reform of the UN. In reform of the UN Security
Council, priority should be given to enhancing
representation of the developing countries.
Both sides stood for continued multilateral
arms control and disarmament process, undiminished and equal
security for all at progressively lower levels of armament
and for multilateral negotiations aimed at nuclear
disarmament and elimination of nuclear weapons. They are
firmly opposed to introduction of weapons in outer space,
use or threat of force against space-based objects and
support cooperation in development of space technology for
peaceful purposes.
The two sides recognized
the threat posed by terrorism to them and to global peace
and security. They resolutely condemned terrorism in any
form. The struggle between the international community and
global terrorism is a comprehensive and sustained one, with
the ultimate objective of eradication of terrorism in all
regions. This requires strengthening the global legal
framework against terrorism. Both sides shall also promote
cooperation on counter-terrorism through their bilateral
dialogue mechanism.
China and India face
special and similar challenges in their efforts to protect
the environment while simultaneously forging ahead with
rapid social and economic development of their countries. In
this context, the two sides agreed to work together in a
practical manner to cooperate on preserving the environment
and ensuring sustained development and to coordinate
positions on climate change, biodiversity and other issue in
relevant multilateral fora.
The two sides
supported multilateral cooperation in Asia, believing that
such cooperation promote mutually beneficial exchanges,
economic growth as well as greater cohesion among Asian
countries. The two sides viewed positively each other's
participation in regional and sub-regional multilateral
cooperation processes in Asia.
The two sides
stated that the improvement and development of China-India
relations is not targeted at any third country and does not
affect either country's existing friendly relations and
cooperation with other countries.
The two
sides agreed that the official visit of the Prime Minister
of India to the People's Republic of China has been a
success, has contributed to enhancing mutual understanding
and trust between the Governments, leaders and peoples of
the two countries, and marks a new step forward in
strengthening the all-round cooperation between China and
India in the new century.
Prime Minister
Vajpayee invited Premier Wen Jiabao to visit India at a
mutually convenient time and conveyed to President Hu Jintao
an invitation from President Abdul Kalam to visit India. The
Chinese side accepted the invitations with appreciation. The
dates of the visits will be settled through diplomatic
channels.
On behalf of the Government and the
people of India, H.E. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajapyee
thanked the Government and the people of China for the warm
welcome received by him and his delegation.
Signed in Beijing on 23 June 2003 in the
Chinese, Hindi and English languages.
(Wen Jiabao) Premier of the State
Council The People's Republic of China (Atal Bihari
Vajpayee) Prime Minister The Republic of India
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