PARIS, Jan. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- China and France have agreed to work for the solution of global issues in a joint declaration signed Tuesday by visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao and his French counterpart, Jacques Chirac.

    On promotion of sustainable development, the two countries pledge to make concerted efforts to fulfill the millennium development targets set by the United Nations in September 2000, and strive to eliminate poverty, hunger, diseases, environment degradation, illiteracy and discrimination against women.

    On environment protection, China and France reaffirm their support for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, recalling that both have ratified the Kyoto Protocol.

    In a bid to draw more international attention to environmental issues, the two countries support the strengthening of the role of the UN Environment Program (UNEP) and broad discussions on the reform of the UNEP.

    In the joint declaration, the two countries voice their supportto balanced international trade and globalization based on mutual benefit. They also reiterate their emphasis on the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the multilateral trade system.

    The two countries agree that the WTO is the only legitimate body to make trade rules.

    The two countries are committed to establishing a fair, just and open international trade order within the framework of the WTO,strengthening consultations and cooperation in relevant fields, and helping developing countries, particular the least developed countries, genuinely integrate into the multilateral trade system and the world economy.

    In view of the fact that globalization often brings about negative socio-economic consequences, the two countries reiterate their support to the concern of social problems and globalization based on mutual benefit and fair trade, to ultimately meet the target of eliminating poverty and ensuring sustainable development.

    On joint efforts to promote cultural pluralism, China and France reiterate their advocacy for diversity of world cultures. The two countries agree that the Asia-Europe Meeting will be capable of promoting dialogue, understanding and mutual respect among different cultures and civilizations in the world.

    The two countries express delight for China's first successful attendance of meetings of the G8 summit in Evian, France in June 2003. They also agree to boost the process of dialogue and cooperation under such arrangement.

    China and France agree to strengthen cooperation in scientific research for the prevention and cure of highly communicable diseases including the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, AIDS, cholera and TB.

    In the joint declaration, the two countries also agree to strengthen cooperation in the field of human rights and the establishment of legal systems. Enditem