China and Hungary signed a joint statement Thursday during Hungarian Prime Minister Medgyessy Peter's visit to Beijing, aiming at deepening bilateral cooperation and pushing forward bilateral friendship in the 21st century.

According to the document, the Hungarian prime minister paid an official visit to China on Aug. 27-30 at the invitation of the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. During the visit, the two sides have exchanged views extensively and in-depth with his Chinese hosts on relations between the two countries and regional and international issues of common concern.

The two sides have reviewed and summarized development in bilateral relations in recent years and are satisfied with fruitful cooperation in various fields, the statement says.

China and Hungary agree to upgrade their friendship, within the framework of constructive partnership, on the basis of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.

The two sides has reached a consensus that they should each respect the other's choice on the road of development based on their own conditions, and respect the other's sovereignty, territorial integrity and domestic and foreign policies, says the statement.

The two sides have noticed the difference in economic, social and political situation and values between the two countries and their different views in human rights, says the statement, adding that they have expressed the willingness to carry out constructive dialog and exchanges on this issue and the belief that the differences will not affect the development of the bilateral relations.

The statement says the two nations are ready to strengthen cooperation in the United Nations and other international organizations, increase consultation and cooperation in global issues like anti-terrorism, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, environmental protection and sustainable development.

The Chinese side hopes to see Hungary, as an important nation in Central Europe, continuing to play a constructive role in that region, has noticed Hungary's independent decisions on making alignments, and congratulates Hungary's upcoming entry into the European Union (EU).

The Hungarian government reiterates there is but one China and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government of China, of which Taiwan is an inalienable part.

The Hungarian side will continue insisting on the one-China policy and will not establish any official relations or official contacts with Taiwan, but only carry out private economic and cultural exchange with Taiwan, within the boundaries of being non-official and non-governmental.

The two nations believe China's entry into the World Trade Organization and Hungary's forthcoming entry into the EU will open broad prospects to strengthen bilateral economic and trade ties.

Both sides attach much importance to developing overall economic cooperation in industry, agriculture, transportation, finance, information, and tourism, including enlarging and promoting the size and level of the bilateral trade, encouraging and supporting companies of both countries to carry out mutually beneficial cooperation, increasing outward investment and launching joint ventures in China and Hungary, as well as any third countries.

China and Hungary will support cooperation between government administrations on judicial matters, police, internal affairs, customs and finance supervision. They will support each other in the global fight against multinational organized crime, weapons smuggling, illegal migration, drug and human trafficking, and economic crime.

The two sides will also encourage contact and exchanges between citizens of the two countries, and will handle the problems arising from the exchanges in accordance with their respective international obligations, the regulations of existing bilateral agreements and related domestic laws of their own. Related departments of the two countries will conduct constructive cooperation in resolving such problems.

The document says the two sides will continue pushing forward cooperation in science and technology, culture, education, health, physical culture, and media, encouraging direct collaboration between the local and non-governmental organizations of the two sides.

(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2003)