Text of China-Azerbaijan joint statement on Azeri president’s visit
Xinhua news agency domestic service, Beijing
19 Mar 05
Text of joint statement of the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of
Azerbaijan issued in Beijing on 19 March carried by official Chinese news
agency Xinhua (New China News Agency)
Beijing, 19 March: On 19 March, China and Azerbaijan jointly issued a Joint
Statement of the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Azerbaijan
signed by Chinese President Hu Jintao and Azeri President Ilham Aliyev. The
following is the full text of the joint statement:
Joint Statement of the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of
Azerbaijan
At the invitation of PRC President Hu Jintao, His Excellency President Ilham
Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan paid a state visit to the PRC from 17 to
19 March.
1. The two sides have pointed out: Peace and development continues
to be the main theme of the contemporary era; it is also the
common wish of the peoples of various countries in the world. The
international community should strengthen consultations, safeguard
the world’s diversity, and promote mutual exchanges and learning
between different civilizations and development models. The two sides
advocate establishing a new international political and economic order
that is peaceful, stable, equitable, and rational on the basis of the
UN Charter and universally recognized norms of international law and
support the efforts to strengthen the authority of the United Nations
and its core role in safeguarding world peace and security and in
promoting common development, and to advance the diversification of
development models.
2. The two sides have pointed out with satisfaction: Thanks to joint
efforts, the political, economic, and cultural foundations of relations
between China and Azerbaijan have been further consolidated. China
and Azerbaijan are willing to strengthen their traditional friendly
relations, expand exchanges in various fields, cooperate closely on
international issues, and devote themselves to safeguarding world
peace and stability.
3. The two sides emphasized have that reciprocal visits and
high-level meetings between leaders of the two countries carry
important significance, and that this tradition should be maintained
through the conduct of bilateral dialogues and consultations, including
meetings at the levels of state and government leaders, parliamentary
leaders, and government ministers, in order to further develop
political and economic relations and mutual cooperation between the
two countries. The two sides will devote themselves to expanding and
perfecting the treaty and legal foundations of bilateral cooperation
in various fields in accordance with the historically significant
Joint Statement Concerning the Basis of Friendly Relations Between
the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Azerbaijan, which
was signed on 7 March 1994.
4. The two sides agree that the governments of the two countries
should actively take measures to vigorously tap the potential for
cooperation in the economic and trade fields in order to create
favourable conditions for further establishing and developing direct
links between economic entities in the two countries.
The two sides encourage and support their respective enterprises in
their efforts to expand cooperation in the field of infrastructure
for petroleum, petrochemicals, light industry, machinery building,
agriculture, transportation, and communications on the basis of
equality and mutual benefit. The Economic Cooperation and Trade
Committee between the governments of China and Azerbaijan will play
an active role in this regard. The Chinese side welcomes the Azeri
side to participate in the great development of western China.
5. The Chinese side has a high opinion of the achievements scored
by Az erbaijan since regaining independence in maintaining social
stability and rapid economic development, and is pleased with the
achievements in economic cooperation and trade between China and
Azerbaijan in recent years. The Chinese side supports the Azeri
side in joining the World Trade Organization [WTO] at the earliest
possible date, believing that this will be instrumental in enhancing
the WTO’s universal and representative nature and in expanding the
influence of multilateral trade structures and conducive to cooperation
between China and Azerbaijan on the basis of common rules. Azerbaijan
admires the achievements scored by China since it introduced the
programme of reform and opening up, and recognizes China’s full
market-economy status. The Chinese side is willing to continue to
support the Azeri side in its efforts to promote national economic
and social development.
6. The two sides believe that in order to develop a
Europe-Caucasus-Asia transportation corridor, it is essential that
China and Azerbaijan strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation
with regard to transportation and various conveyances.
The two sides will encourage relevant agencies in their countries
to cooperate closely on new projects in the transportation sectors
in China and Azerbaijan and in carrying out those projects within
the framework of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and
the Pacific, in accordance with The Intergovernmental Agreement on
the Asian Highway Network, and within the framework of the plan to
develop a cross-Asia transportation network.
7. The two sides support expanding and perfecting cooperation in
the cultural field between the two countries and strengthening
cultural, educational, scientific, tourism, sports, and information
exchanges. The two sides will earnestly implement the various
agreements they have signed; carry out diverse forms of activities,
such as exchanges of youth and university students, the popularization
of languages, the training of experts, and exchanges of teaching
programmes; encourage colleges and universities as well as scientific
research institutes in the two countries to establish direct contacts;
and promote increased contacts between local and nongovernmental
organizations in the two countries.
The two sides will work hard to expand cooperation between the two
countries in the banking and financial industries and in carrying
out joint investment projects.
The two sides will foster and expand bilateral, regional and
international cooperation in environmental protection.
The two sides will maintain and expand exchanges and cooperation in the
military sphere. These exchanges and cooperation serve the security
interests of the two countries and do not violate the international
obligations of the two countries.
8. The two sides offer positive assessments of cooperation between
the two countries in the United Nations and its affiliated agencies
as well as in other international and regional organizations, and
are willing to continue to strengthen consultations on bilateral,
international, and regional issues of common concern.
9. The Azeri side reiterates that there is only one China in the
world, that the PRC Government is the sole legitimate government
representing all of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of
Chinese territory. The Azeri side reiterates that it will not establish
official ties in any form or engage in any exchanges of an official
nature with Taiwan and that it opposes any attempts to create “two
Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan” as well as “Taiwan independence”
in any form. The Azeri side understands and supports China’s efforts
to oppose and curb “Taiwan independence” separatist forces, to bring
about the country’s peaceful reunification, and to safeguard peace
and stability in the Taiwan Strait and in the Asia-Pacific region,
including the passage of the Anti-Secession Law by the Chinese National
People’s Congress. The Chinese side thinks highly of this position
of the Azeri side.
10. The two sides stress that existing and growing terrorism,
separatism and extremism have seriously threatened the security of
sovereign countries as well as security and stability on a global
scale and that only joint efforts will lead to effective prevention.
The two sides support bilateral and multilateral cooperation in
responding to new global challenges and threats, including cooperation
in combating international terrorism, drug trafficking, precursor
chemicals, smuggling, money laundering, cross-border organized crime,
human smuggling and illicit trading in arms.
The two sides condemn with one voice and resolutely oppose any forms
of terrorism, separatism and extremism and are willing to strengthen
cooperation in combating these “three forces” within the framework of
the UN Charter and international treaties on combating terrorism, and
to support cooperation by relevant departments in the two countries.
11. The Chinese side reiterates its support for the Republic of
Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, calls for abiding
by the resolution passed by the UN Security Council regarding the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, advocates peaceful resolution of the
conflict, and supports the international community in making efforts
in this connection.
12. Both sides advocate dialogue and cooperation in the realm of
international human rights and oppose double standards in international
politics. The two sides are committed to enhancing mutual understanding
through consultations and exchanges on human rights, strengthening
mutual support and cooperation on human rights on a multilateral basis
and jointly advancing the healthy development of bilateral relations
and the cause of international human rights.
13. During the visit, the two sides signed the following documents:
The Extradition Treaty of the People’s Republic of China and
the Republic of Azerbaijan; the Memorandum on the Provision of
Technical Assistance by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
People’s Republic of China to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of Azerbaijan; the Agreement on Economic Cooperation and
Trade Between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the
Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan; the Agreement on Economic
and Technological Cooperation Between the Government of the People’s
Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
the Agreement Between the Government of the People’s Republic of
China and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Avoiding
Double Taxation on Income and Preventing Tax Evasion; the Agreement
on Mutual Assistance in Customs Affairs Between the Government of
the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of
Azerbaijan; the Protocol on Cultural Cooperation in the Years From
2005 to 2009 Between the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic
of China and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
the Agreement on Cooperation in Youth Affairs Between the All-China
Youth Federation and the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Tourism of the
Republic of Azerbaijan; the Agreement on Cooperation Between China
Central Television and the Azerbaijan National Television and Radio
Broadcasting Company; the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation
Between the Ministry of Information Industry of the People’s Republic
of China and the Ministry of Communications and Information of the
Republic of Azerbaijan; the Agreement on Cooperation Between the China
Olympics Committee and the Azerbaijan National Olympics Committee;
and the Agreement on Cooperation Between the Ministry of Justice of
the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Justice of the
Republic of Azerbaijan.
14. The two sides indicate that maintaining and developing friendship
and cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and the
Republic of Azerbaijan is not directed against any third country,
nor is it aimed at hurting the interests of a third country.
[Signed by] Hu Jintao
President of the People’s Republic of China
[Signed by] Ilham Aliyev
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
[Dated] 17 March 2005, Beijing