Special report: Premier Wen attends SCO meeting, visits four nations

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko attend the signing ceremony of a joint communique on bilateral cooperation in culture and other areas in Minsk, capital of Belarussia, on November 5, 2007. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    MINSK, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- China and Belarus issued a joint communique here Monday, pledging further efforts to promote bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields.

    The communique was signed during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's official visit to Belarus.

    During the visit, Wen held separate talks with Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko and acting Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko. The leaders exchanged views and reached a wide-ranging consensus on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues.

    BILATERAL RELATIONS

    Both sides expressed satisfaction over the rapid and stable development of bilateral relations since China and Belarus established diplomatic ties 15 years ago.

    The bilateral documents signed between the two countries have laid a solid foundation for ensuring the smooth development of all-round friendly relations and cooperation between them, the communique said.

    The two sides voiced their resolve to further expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields so as to achieve common development and prosperity.

    They agreed to maintain regular contacts and exchanges at various levels, including those at the top level.

    MUTUAL SUPPORT

    The two sides also vowed to offer mutual support over issues which bear on the core interests of the two countries.

    China reiterated its support for Belarus' efforts to safeguard national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, uphold national dignity, maintain domestic stability and develop its national economy.

    China opposes any attempt to interfere in Belarus' internal affairs under the guise of "human rights."

    Belarus reaffirmed its adherence to the one-China policy, recognizing that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory.

    Belarus is opposed to "Taiwan independence" and the "de jure independence of Taiwan" in any form, such as the "referendum" on UN membership under the name of Taiwan, the communique said.

    Belarus also opposes Taiwan's membership in any international and regional organizations where statehood is required and it will not conduct any official exchanges with Taiwan, the communique added.

    Belarus supports all of China's efforts toward national reunification and maintains that the Taiwan question belongs to China's internal affairs and brooks no interference from outside.

    Recognizing Tibet is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory, Belarus firmly opposes attempts by any country to use the Dalai Lama issue to interfere in China's internal affairs, the communique stated.

    ECONOMIC AND TRADE COOPERATION

    China reiterated its support for Belarus' efforts to gain membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) at an early date.

    The two countries agreed to promote bilateral cooperation in large-scale projects and raise the level of their economic and technological cooperation.

    China encourages its enterprises to invest and conduct trade cooperation in Belarus.

    COOPERATION IN CULTURE AND OTHER AREAS

    The two sides pledged to expand cooperation and exchanges in science and technology, education, culture, health care, sports and tourism. The two sides will also encourage cooperation between local regions of the two countries.

    INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

    The two sides affirmed that they hold identical or similar views on a series of major international issues. Each country's affairs should be decided by its people themselves and international issues should be resolved through negotiations within the framework of international law.

    The two sides also stand for carrying out just reforms of the United Nations and the UN Security Council, so as to increase their ability to adapt to changing international situations.

    China and Belarus agreed to enhance their close cooperation within the frameworks of the UN and other international organizations in efforts to maintain the authority and status of the world body.

    During Premier Wen's visit, the two sides signed an accord on the provision of free assistance by China to Belarus, and a framework agreement under which China will offer preferential loans to Belarus.

    Wen arrived here Sunday at the invitation of Lukashenko after paying visits to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. In the Uzbek capital of Tashkent, Wen attended the sixth meeting of prime ministers of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

    After his stay in Belarus, Wen traveled on to Russia later in the day, which is the last leg of his four-nation tour.