Communiqué of the Third Ministerial Conference of China-Arab Cooperation Forum
BEIJING, May 23 (Xinhua) According to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, the communiqué of the third ministerial meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum.
The foreign ministers of People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the member countries of the League of Arab States (hereinafter referred to as "the two sides") and the Secretary General of the League of Arab States held the third ministerial meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum (hereinafter referred to as "the Forum") in Manama, the capital of the Kingdom of Bahrain, from May 21 to 22, 2008.
The two sides spoke highly of the rich achievements made by China and Arab countries in building a new partnership of equality and all-round cooperation in recent years; Reviewing the activities held under the framework of the Forum since the Second Ministerial Conference, I am satisfied with the achievements made in the mechanism construction and important activities such as the Senior Officials Committee, the China-Arab Entrepreneurs Conference, the China-Arab Relations and the China-Arab Civilization Dialogue Seminar, China-Arab Environmental Cooperation, China-Arab Friendship Conference, China-Arab Energy Cooperation Conference and China-Arab News Cooperation Forum. Determined to further enrich the connotation of cooperation and promote the in-depth development of forum construction.
It is believed that the world today is undergoing great changes and adjustments, and it is the general trend to seek peace, development and cooperation. With the in-depth development of economic globalization, countries are increasingly interdependent, so all countries should jointly deal with it and seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. Traditional security threats are still outstanding, and non-traditional security threats are on the rise, which urgently requires the international community to strengthen cooperation and jointly deal with them.
It is emphasized that strengthening China-Arab dialogue and cooperation and improving the overall level of China-Arab relations under the new situation are in the common interests of the Chinese and Arab people and are also conducive to world peace and development;
To this end, the two sides decided to continue to strengthen the new partnership of equality, mutual trust, all-round cooperation, peace-oriented and sustainable development, and reached the following consensus:
I. Political field
1-Reaffirm the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. Promote the democratization of international relations and build a harmonious world. Respect all countries to safeguard their territorial integrity and security without violating the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and other universally recognized norms of international law.
2-Strengthen mutual visits and communication between leaders and government officials of the two sides, keep close contact and contact, and enhance friendship and mutual trust.
3-Promote exchanges between parliaments and political parties of the two sides, promote exchanges between non-governmental organizations, enhance mutual understanding and deepen traditional friendship.
4-Maintain political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two sides and collective consultations within the framework of the forum.
5-The Arab countries expressed sympathy and condolences to the Chinese side for the heavy casualties and serious property losses caused by the earthquake in Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province, People’s Republic of China (PRC), and appreciated the efforts of the China government and people in earthquake relief and reconstruction. The government and people of China express their heartfelt thanks and welcome to the sympathy, support and help given by the Arab countries and people. The Arab countries support China in hosting the 29th Olympic Games in 2008 and wish the Games a complete success.
6-The Arab countries reiterate that the government of People’s Republic of China (PRC) is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan Province is an inalienable part of the territory of China. They oppose the Taiwan Province authorities’ participation in the United Nations and other international organizations and conferences limited to sovereign countries in any name and form, and support the efforts of the government and people of China to promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations.
7-China supports the Arab countries’ strategic choice to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions, the principle of land for peace, the Arab Peace Initiative and the road map plan for Middle East peace. China supports the Arab peace initiative as an important principle for comprehensively solving the Middle East issue, and calls on Israel to respond to the Arab countries’ desire for peace, negotiate with relevant Arab countries on the basis of the initiative, and end the occupation of all Arab territories occupied since 1967. Support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with the Arab peace initiative and solve the refugee problem in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions, so as to restore the legitimate rights of the Arab people, and thus achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East. Call on the international community to commit itself to lifting the blockade of Palestine, take practical measures to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, stop building settlements and all actions that aggravate tensions, and create favorable conditions for the Middle East peace process to move forward.
8-Emphasize support for Syria to recover the occupied Golan Heights in accordance with relevant UN resolutions, on the basis of the results of the Madrid Peace Conference in 1991 and the Arab Peace Initiative in 2002, and on the basis of the principles of the peace process.
9-Emphasize full solidarity with Lebanon and provide it with political and economic support. In the State of Qatar Emir Hamad? Ben? Khalifa? His Highness Al Thani, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hamad? Ben? Jasim? Ben? Jabbar? His Highness Al Thani, Secretary General of the Arab League Amr? Thanks to the efforts of Your Excellency Moussa and the members of the Arab Ministerial Committee, the Doha Lebanese National Dialogue Conference reached a consensus solution on the basis of the Arab initiative to solve the political crisis in Lebanon, and both sides warmly congratulated them.
10-Emphasize that Iraq’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity should be fully respected, not interfering in its internal affairs, respecting the Iraqi people’s independent determination of their future, and condemning all forms of terrorist acts against the Iraqi people and their institutions. Support the Iraqi government’s efforts aimed at stabilizing the security situation and promoting the process of national reconciliation, so as to achieve national reconciliation and encourage cooperation for the reconstruction of Iraq. We welcome the role of the Arab League, the expansion of international cooperation through meetings of foreign ministers of neighboring countries in Iraq, and the search for the necessary mechanism to solve Iraq’s current problems. We hope that Iraq and its neighbors can solve their mutual concerns.
11-Emphasize support for all peaceful efforts, including the initiative and efforts of the United Arab Emirates, aimed at peacefully resolving the issue of the three islands (Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa) through peaceful negotiations and in accordance with the norms of international law.
12-Emphasize support for Sudan’s national unity, national unity and territorial integrity. Support the Sudanese government of national unity to implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and push forward the North-South peace process. Welcoming the signing of the Agreement on the Status of Mixed Forces on 9 February 2008 and the efforts made by the Government of Sudan to make the hybrid operation a success. It emphasizes that the hybrid operation should be deployed in Darfur in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1769, supports the tripartite consultation mechanism between Sudan, the African Union and the United Nations to continue to play the role of the main channel, advocates the balanced promotion of peacekeeping operations and the political process in Darfur, calls on the opposition and the Sudanese government to step up negotiations, reach a comprehensive peace agreement in Darfur at an early date, and supports the Arab League to continue to play an important role in this issue. Condemn the attack launched by the Justice and Equality Movement in Omdurman.
13-Emphasize that continuing to promote the peace process in Somalia is of great significance to regional security and stability, respect the unity and national sovereignty of Somalia, and support Somalia to achieve national reconciliation and domestic peace as soon as possible.
14-Support each other to safeguard national sovereignty, independence and national dignity, respect and support the independent choice of development path according to national conditions, and exchange ruling experience and development experience with each other.
15-Emphasize that both sides attach importance to strengthening friendly relations between the National People’s Congress of China and Arab parliaments, consultative conferences and Arab transitional parliaments on the basis of the purposes and principles of the forum.
16-Conduct political consultations, close coordination and cooperation on major regional and international issues of common concern within the framework of the Forum.
17-Advocate dialogue and consultation, and encourage hot issues and differences to be handled through political and peaceful means.
18-Support the maintenance of the international nuclear non-proliferation system and advocate the peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue in the Middle East through diplomatic negotiations, so as to maintain regional peace and stability. Support the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East and the active efforts made by Arab countries on the basis of consultation to achieve this goal as soon as possible. The right of all countries to peaceful use of nuclear energy in accordance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons should be respected and maintained, and the possession and development of military nuclear capabilities in violation of the provisions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons should be opposed.
19-Condemn all forms of terrorism and oppose linking terrorism with specific ethnic groups and religions. It is believed that counter-terrorism must be based on the Charter of the United Nations and other universally recognized norms of international law, adhere to the leading and coordinating role of the United Nations and its Security Council, and oppose double standards. King Abdullah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a servant who supports the two holy places? Ben? Abdalasis? Al Saud’s proposal to establish an international counter-terrorism center at the 2005 Riyadh World Counter-Terrorism Conference. Welcome and support President Zine El-Zine El-Assad of the Republic of Tunisia? Abidine? Ben? Ali proposed that the United Nations should hold an international conference to formulate anti-terrorism action guidelines that all parties should abide by and promote dialogue among different faiths, cultures and civilizations. We will continue to strengthen anti-terrorism cooperation in bilateral areas and under multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations. In this regard, the two sides support the international conference organized by the United Nations and attended by international organizations such as the Organization of the Islamic Conference to discuss the definition, prevention and fight against terrorism, and call on all parties to complete the negotiation of a comprehensive anti-terrorism convention as soon as possible.
They agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation within the framework of the United Nations and other international organizations, promote multilateralism, and safeguard the authority of the United Nations and its leading role in international affairs. Support the United Nations to carry out necessary and reasonable reforms, improve efficiency, fulfill the mission entrusted by the Charter of the United Nations, and increase its ability to effectively respond to new threats and challenges. Support the Security Council to play a major role in maintaining world peace and security. The reform of the Security Council should give priority to increasing the representation of developing countries, and members should reach consensus on the reform of the Security Council on the basis of extensive discussion and democratic consultation.
21-It advocates reaching understanding and resolving differences between countries through dialogue and diplomatic means, so as to solve the problems that hinder the improvement of relations between countries. Oppose laws that override the norms of international law and aim at harming the sovereignty and interests of other countries.
Second, promote development
22-The two sides actively promote trade facilitation, continue to expand the scale of trade, improve the trade structure, standardize the trade order, raise the level of trade, and strive to achieve comprehensive, orderly and balanced development of bilateral trade.
23-Expand two-way investment, promote enterprises of both sides to strengthen investment cooperation in a wider field, and encourage technology transfer.
24-Strengthen cooperation in infrastructure construction, complement each other’s advantages in capital, technology and engineering, and explore projects to implement infrastructure construction, improve people’s livelihood and enhance the ability of independent development.
25-Promote cooperation in the financial field, encourage financial institutions of both sides to strengthen cooperation, jointly provide financial support and convenience for investment, project contracting and trade of both sides, and encourage both sides to carry out mutually beneficial cooperation in the banking field under the conditions of complying with relevant laws and regulations of various countries.
26-Strengthen cooperation between the two sides in the field of human resources development, learn from each other and learn from each other.
27-The two sides coordinate and cooperate in international economic and trade fields and institutions, and work together to establish an open, fair and standardized multilateral international trading system and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.
28-Accelerate the negotiation process between China and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, and strive to reach an agreement as soon as possible.
29-Support mutual investment projects in oil and gas industries on the basis of mutual benefit, and strengthen and expand existing cooperation, especially in the exploration, exploitation, transportation and refining of oil and gas; Exchange of experience and technology transfer in the fields of energy and environmental protection of energy-related projects through mutual visits, holding joint seminars and advanced courses, and participating in relevant activities organized by the other side.
30-Strengthen cooperation and dialogue in the fields of environmental protection and desertification control, maintain close consultation and cooperation on international environmental affairs, and promote mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides in the fields of environmental protection and sustainable development.
Carry out scientific and technological cooperation and exchanges through close contacts, and carry out joint research and technology transfer in seawater desalination, environmental protection technology, high-efficiency agricultural technology, clean energy, new energy and renewable energy technology.
32-The two sides recognize that mankind is facing severe challenges in the issues of environment and sustainable development, and are willing to strengthen cooperation with the international community to meet the challenges in an open and pragmatic manner; Support the United Nations to play an important role in promoting global sustainable development and make positive contributions to promoting global environmental protection and sustainable development.
33-Both sides attach great importance to climate change and are willing to make joint efforts with the international community to make positive contributions to climate change. The two sides stressed that any international arrangement to deal with climate change should be based on the principles and provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, especially the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities". The two sides are willing to strengthen cooperation in tackling climate change, including technical exchanges, improving energy efficiency and developing new and renewable energy sources.
Third, people-to-people exchanges and dialogue among civilizations should be carried out.
34-Encourage cooperation between research institutions, universities and educational institutions of both sides in the fields of education, scientific research and academic exchanges, including teaching Chinese and Arabic.
35-Encourage and support Chinese and Arab cultural institutions to carry out official and non-governmental exchange programs, use information and communication technology to protect cultural heritage, sort out and publish cultural works, and attach importance to learning from each other in culture to achieve common development.
36-Establish an art festival mechanism held by both parties in turn on a regular basis.
37-Encourage the opening of Arab cultural centers in China and China cultural centers in Arab countries, and provide mutual convenience.
38-Create conditions to encourage tourism cooperation between China and China, and actively consider listing Arab countries as outbound tourist destinations for citizens.
39-Strengthen exchanges and dialogues among different civilizations, promote mutual understanding and interaction among people of all countries, respect the cultural characteristics of people of all countries, and be inclusive and exchange and learn from each other in the spirit of equality, mutual respect and tolerance.
40-Emphasize that the two sides attach importance to participating in regional and international initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation among different civilizations, cultures and religions to deal with all forms of mutual exclusion and incitement to violence, and should not use freedom of speech as an excuse to vilify and vilify religions, beliefs, religious shrines and figures of people of all countries.
Fourth, enhance the friendly and cooperative relations between Chinese and Arab news organizations.
41-Close cooperation in the fields of news and publication between the two sides, and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and Arab peoples through various mass media (television, newspapers and radio).
V. Building the China-Arab Cooperation Forum
42-Strengthen coordination and cooperation, jointly implement the principles and objectives set in the forum communiqué and the action implementation plan, and create more common development benefits for the people of both sides.
43-Persist in innovation, constantly enrich China-Arab cooperation, improve the forum mechanism, and explore a forum construction model that conforms to the reality of both sides and the characteristics of China-Arab bilateral relations.
44-Support the Forum to establish horizontal ties with other regional or multilateral cooperation mechanisms in which both sides participate, and broaden the space for common cooperation.
45-Express gratitude and appreciation to the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting the third ministerial meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum, and welcome the holding of the fourth ministerial meeting of the Forum in China in 2010 and the next Senior Officials Meeting of the Forum in China in 2009.
This communiqué was signed in Manama on May 20th, 2008 in duplicate, each in Chinese and Arabic, both texts being equally authentic.
People’s Republic of China (PRC)
League of Arab States
Daibiao
Daibiao
Yang Jiechi (signature)
Amourous? Moussa (signature)
Foreign Minister of People’s Republic of China (PRC)
Secretary-General of the League of Arab States
Editor: Sun Jie