Annex B: UK/China Joint Statement, October
1998
1. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Mr Tony Blair, and the
Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China,
Mr Zhu Rongji, held talks in Beijing on 6 October 1998. They exchanged
views on bilateral relations and international issues of common
concern in a friendly atmosphere and issued the following joint
statement.
2. The United Kingdom and China as Permanent
Members of the UN Security Council share extensive international
interests and responsibilities. The two countries will step up
co-operation both bilaterally and multilaterally, including within
the framework of the UN, for the maintenance of world peace and
security.
3. The two Governments welcome the positive
development of bilateral relations during recent years, and particularly
since the successful handover in Hong Kong. Both sides consider
that the time is right for the opening of a new chapter in relations
between the United Kingdom and China. They agree to expand political,
economic, cultural and technological links. In this context, it
is agreed that President Jiang Zemin should pay a state visit
to the UK at the invitation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
in the second half of 1999.
4. The two sides note that the Joint Declaration
of 1984 and the successful handover in Hong Kong in 1997 were
historic achievements. The peaceful resolution of the question
of Hong Kong is something in which the people of both countries,
and especially the people of Hong Kong, can take pride. Both sides
reiterate that the implementation of the Joint Declaration and
the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong
Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of
autonomy will ensure the maintenance of the prosperity and stability
of Hong Kong.
5. The two sides note that growing economic
ties and trade between China and the UK are not only of mutual
benefit, but also serve to enhance overall co-operation and understanding.
They agree on the need to put new energy into the bilateral economic
relationship and trade through enhanced business promotion activities
and improved market access matching the skills and needs of the
two economies. They agree to take positive measures to expand
bilateral trade and investment. They note with satisfaction both
the launch of the restyled China Britain Business Council and
the continued high level of UK investment in China.
6. Both sides reaffirm their commitment
to continue working for China's entry to the World Trade Organisation,
on terms which will reinforce the world trading system and on
the principle of balancing rights and obligations. Both sides
agree to explore options for practical co-operation in support
of this.
7. The two sides note the growing global
interdependence of national economies and financial structures.
In this context, they will strengthen the UK/China Financial Dialogue,
conduct regular exchanges on strategic economic and financial
issues and foster wider regional and global discussion of these
issues, with the aim of ensuring a stable environment for development.
8. While recognising that the social and
economic context in the two countries is different, both sides
are committed to meeting the continuing challenges of modernisation.
Through an expanding programme of development co-operation, they
will strengthen co-operation between the two countries in the
following areas: the development and restructuring of State-owned
enterprises; the provision of training and small business creation
for unemployed workers; the provision of financial sector training,
including in the field of regulation; poverty elimination and
promotion of development of the interior provinces.
9. Both sides note that vital importance
of protecting the environment at the national and global levels
and, in particular, addressing the issue of climate change. They
agree that the developed countries have a responsibility to set
an example in this area. At the same time, it is noted with appreciation
that China is intensifying efforts to address the environmental
challenges it faces. China and the UK also share concerns about
more local environmental issues, particularly in relation to water
resources.
10. Both sides agree to strengthen environmental
co-operation. This will embrace practical co-operation, including
scientific exchanges as well as informal dialogue. Both sides
agree that the UK should work particularly closely with China
as a Partner country. Future UK/China co-operation on the environment
will build on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in June 1998.
11. The two sides will strengthen and expand
their political/military dialogue. In addition to annual senior
official-level talks, they will pursue a programme of senior military
visits, including ministerial-level exchanges.
12. Both sides welcome the development of
practical exchanges between police forces in China and in the
UK, which have served to promote the interests of justice and
to protect the victims of crime. China and the UK will work to
strengthen co-operation aimed at tackling international crime.
13. The two sides note with satisfaction
the growing range and volume of contacts between the Chinese and
British people. They will work to increase the number of focused
parliamentary, academic, scientific and professional exchanges.
14. Both sides believe that the UK/China
Forum, launched by the two Heads of Government, will play an important
part in providing a clear focus for non-Governmental high-level
contacts between China and the UK and ensuring that the development
of such contacts contributes positively to the overall bilateral
relationship.
15. Both sides note that cultural and artistic
contacts will help to strengthen understanding and awareness between
China and the UK and to provide a positive atmosphere for bilateral
co-operation. They welcome the Britain in China initiative as
a means of promoting cultural as well as commercial activities.
They will explore options and ways to further expand the above-mentioned
exchanges and co-operation in both countries. They welcome the
UK/China sports authorities' protocol providing for practical
co-operation. They note the value of sporting links in building
bridges between the two countries, and particularly between their
young people.
16. The two sides welcome the positive progress
of Europe-Asia co-operation in recent years and the establishment
of a long-term, stable and constructive Europe-China partnership
oriented towards the twenty first century. The establishment of
friendly relations of equality and mutual benefit between Europe
and Asia and between Europe and China benefits not only the interests
of the two sides but also the interests of world peace and stability.
The two sides consider that increased bilateral political consultations,
including dialogue on human rights, help to broaden mutual understanding.
They welcome the resumption of human rights dialogue between the
European Union and China and the commencement of such dialogue
between the UK and China in 1997. Despite the differences between
them the two sides note the achievements in these processes so
far, both in practical progress and enhanced mutual understanding.
They agree to continue their constructive dialogue and to conduct
judicial exchanges and co-operation on the basis of equality and
mutual respect.
17. The two sides stress their commitment
to non-proliferation, and full support for Security Council Resolution
No 1172. As parties to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of
Nuclear Weapons, the Biological Weapons Convention and the Chemical
Weapons Convention, the two countries will continue their commitment
to the prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
and their delivery vehicles, and will step up bilateral and international
co-operation to this end. The two sides are ready to make continued
efforts to bring about universal accession to and effective compliance
with the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. They support the efforts
to strengthen the efficacy of the Biological Weapons Convention
and express opposition to the Weaponisation of outer space.
18. The two sides agree that the above statement
should form the framework for an enhanced, comprehensive UK/China
partnership. Both sides look forward to developing to the full
the opportunities offered by such a partnership, and to working
together to address the shared challenges of the new millennium.
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