China and Russia have reached common ground on major
international issues as President Hu Jintao and his Russian
counterpart Vladimir Putin met in Moscow on Monday.
After their talks, the two leaders signed a joint statement,
outlining the two countries' concerted attitudes to and stances on
some major international issues.
On Iran's nuclear issue, China and Russia reiterated that a
peaceful settlement through negotiation was the only way out of the
current nuclear impasse, the statement said.
Acknowledging Iran's right to the peaceful use of nuclear
technology within the framework of the nuclear non-proliferation
treaty, the two countries called on Tehran to take on its
obligations and implement related UN resolutions, the statement
said.
China and Russia vowed to make every effort to push forward the
negotiation to seek lasting and comprehensive solution acceptable
to parties concerned, it added.
On the Korean peninsula's nuclear issue, China and Russia
reiterated their support for denuclearizing the peninsula, which
was vital to peace, security and stability of the Asian-Pacific
region, the statement said.
Both sides agreed to honor their commitment within the framework
of the six-party talks and to make continued efforts to settle the
issue through diplomacy after taking into consideration the rights
and concerns of all parties, it said.
On Iraq's situation, China and Russia supported strengthening of
international coordination to help Iraq realize stability and
safeguard its unification and territorial integrity, the statement
said.
Both sides hoped all parties and groups in Iraq would open
dialogue in a bid to realize national reconciliation, it added.
On the Arab-Israel conflict, China and Russia agreed that
negotiation based on UN resolutions and related international
documents was the only way to solve the conflict in a just,
comprehensive and reliable way, the statement said.
Both sides upheld all efforts made by the international
community, especially by the Mideast Quartet, in achieving
normalization of the Mideast region and resuming peace talks among
the Palestinians, Syria and Lebanon, it said.
The two countries noted that broadly representative and
well-prepared international conferences would be one of the most
effective ways to achieve the above goals, it added.
On Afghanistan, China and Russia advocated the promotion of the
country's peace reconstruction process and supporting the Afghan
government's efforts to bring peace, security and prosperity to the
country, it said.
The two sides also pledged to promote cooperation in fight
against drugs stemming from Afghanistan. Establishing an anti-drug
safety zone would play an essential role in winning the battle, the
statement said.
Hu flew into Moscow earlier in the day for a three-day state
visit, during which he will also meet other Russian leaders and
attend activities marking the "Year of China" in Russia.
During Hu's visit to Russia in July 2005, China and Russia
agreed to mark the "Year of China" in Russia this year. Events
marking the "Year of Russia" in China were held last year.
(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2007)
