Joint statement Between The Government of the People's Republic of China And The Government of the Republic of the Fiji Islands On Consolidating and Promoting Friendly Relations and Cooperation
Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase of the Republic of the Fiji Islands paid an official visit to the People's Republic of China from 27 May to 1 June 2002 at the invitation of Premier Zhu Rongji of the State Council of the People's Republic of China. Premier Zhu Rongji and Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase had an in-depth exchange of views on the bilateral relations, regional situation and international issues of shared interest in a warm and friendly atmosphere, and they reached broad consensus.
1. The two sides cherish their profound friendship and mutually beneficial relations and cooperation in all fields.
They are of the view that it is in the fundamental and long-term interest of both countries to push forward the long-term, steady and overall development of their relations on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. They reiterate their strict observance of the Joint Communiqué of the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Fiji on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between China and Fiji.
2. The two sides are ready to strengthen political dialogue at all levels, and encourage and support exchanges and cooperation between the Governments, parliaments, other official institutions, local governments and social organizations of the two countries so as to enhance mutual understanding and trust.
3. The two sides believe that bilateral economic cooperation and trade should be strengthened. They stand ready to encourage and support, under conditions of the market economy, enterprises of the two countries in their efforts to step up contact, deepen mutual understanding and conduct multi-form and mutually beneficial cooperation so as to facilitate continued development of the bilateral economic and trade ties. They will provide facilities for the participation of each other's enterprises and personnel in their respective economic development.
The Chinese side is ready to continue to give what assistance it can to Fiji for its economic development, for which the Fijian side expresses its gratitude.
The two sides will continue to take positive measures to further the cooperation and exchanges between them in the scientific, technological, cultural, education, health and other fields.
4. The Fijian side reiterates its support for the position of the Government of the People's Republic of China that there is but one China in the world, that the Government of the People's
Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory.
The Fijian side further agrees that the question of Taiwan is entirely China's internal affairs and that it respects and supports the efforts of China in safeguarding its national unity and hopes to see its early reunification.
Accordingly the Fijian side reassures the Government of the People's Republic of China that its relationship with Taiwan is strictly for the purpose of promoting economic and commercial ties and it will not engage in any form of contact with Taiwan that is not consistent to the one China position of the People's Republic of China.
The Chinese side highly appreciates the clear position of the Fijian side on the Taiwan question.
5. The Chinese side reiterates that it supports the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of the Fiji Islands, and supports Fiji in its vigorous efforts to safeguard national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Chinese side hopes to see Fiji enjoy social stability, ethnic harmony and economic growth and actively contributing to safeguarding and promoting stability and prosperity in the South Pacific region.
The Fijian side values the important role played by China in international affairs and speaks highly of the positive contribution made by China as a permanent member of the UN Security Council in safeguarding world peace and expects China's continued role in this regard.
6. The two sides believe that democratization of the international relations meets and reflects the requirements and desires of the vast majority of countries in the international community. All countries, big or small, rich or poor, strong or weak, are equal members of the international community and have the equal rights to take part in international affairs. Every country has the right to choose, in light of its national conditions, its social system and road to development independently. The two sides stand ready to boost cooperation in the UN and other international organizations and work with the rest of the international community for the establishment of a fair, rational and equitable new international political and economic order.
7. The two sides hold that terrorism is a serious challenge to human civilization and that it poses a threat to international peace and security. They support the fight against all forms of terrorism and call for the prevention and suppression of terrorist acts in all forms. They stress that there should be no double standard on the question of counter-terrorism and that the root causes for terrorism should be eradicated once and for all. They maintain that international cooperation and solidarity should be reinforced on combating international terrorism and that the leading role of the Untied Nations and its Security Council should be brought into full play.
Done in Beijing on 27 May 2002.
(Xinhua News Agency May 28, 2002)
