China, Poland pledge to build cooperative partnership
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-06-09 17:08

China and Poland signed a joint declaration on Tuesday pledging to work for a "friendly and cooperative partnership" between the two countries.

The declaration, signed by visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao and Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski, said the two countries will actively participate in efforts to build a relationship of all-around strategic partnership between China and the European Union.

The "12-point" declaration emphasized the need to further strengthen historical friendship between the two countries, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation.

To this end, the two sides agreed to broaden the scope of their dialogue and maintain frequent contacts between leaders and officials from governments, parliaments and other government organizations in the two countries, the declaration said.

The two countries will respect each other's development mode, and domestic and foreign policies, which are based on their own situations, the declaration said, adding that they will also "respect and support each other's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Noting that both sides highly value their trade relations, the declaration said China and Poland are willing to, based on partnership, balance and mutual benefit, enhance and upgrade the size and level of their trade relations, and conduct constructive cooperation as well.

The two countries expressed the willingness to enhance cooperation within the framework of the United Nations. They would "support the United Nations' reforms, safeguard the organization's authority and try to strengthen its role," the declaration said.

Condemning terrorism in all forms, the two sides called on the international community to strengthen coordination and cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

China and Poland would maintain consultation and communication on major global issues, such as the global fight against terrorism, arms control, nonproliferation, substantial development and environmental protection, the declaration said.

The two governments would encourage cooperation between their judicial and financial supervision organizations, and customs, interior and other departments in the fight against cross-border organized crime, illegal immigration and financial crimes, the declaration said.

Poland reiterated its adherence to the one-China policy and voiced opposition to any effort to change Taiwan's status and strain the situation across the Taiwan Straits. Poland "supports China's peaceful reunion," the declaration said.

Both countries said it is essential to cooperate in bilateral and multilateral fields. They will encourage personnel exchanges in the hope of boosting their cooperation in the cultural, education, health, science and technology, tourism and sports sectors, the declaration said.

The two countries also hailed each other's achievements in social advancement and economic development, as well as their contribution to regional and world affairs.

President Hu arrived in Poland Tuesday for a two-day state visit, the first-ever state visit to the country by a Chinese president since the two countries established diplomatic relations in October 1949.

Also on Tuesday, the two countries signed a number of agreements, notably, on bilateral cooperation in copper development and purchasing.

Trade between China and Poland hit a record 1.98 billion US dollars last year, up 43.1 percent from a year earlier, making Poland China's second largest trading partner in central and eastern Europe after Hungary.