China, US vow to advance ties, expand cooperation on global issues

• Source: Xinhua
• [19:08 November 17 2009]
• Comments

NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION

In the statement, China and the United States underlined their commitment to the eventual realization of a world free of nuclear weapons and reiterated their opposition to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

They promised to work together for a successful Review Conference of Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in 2010, and committed to pursue ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) as soon as possible.

China attaches importance to the US initiative to hold a nuclear security summit in April 2010 and will actively participate in the preparations for the summit, according to the joint statement.

In the statement, the two sides called on Iran to "engage constructively" with the P5+1 and to "cooperate fully" with the IAEA to facilitate a satisfactory outcome.

"The two sides agreed that Iran has the right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and it should fulfill its due international obligations under that treaty," said the statement.

They emphasized that all efforts should be made to take confidence-building steps and to call on Iran to respond positively to the proposal of the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Meanwhile, the two sides also expressed the hope that the multilateral mechanism of the Six Party Talks would convene at an early date.

The two presidents reaffirmed the importance of continuing the Six Party Talks process and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

The Chinese side welcomed the start of high-level contacts between the United States and the DPRK, said the joint statement.

COUNTER-TERRORISM

China and the United States also vowed to deepen counter-terrorism consultation and cooperation between the two countries on an equal and mutually beneficial basis.

The two sides promised they would boost joint efforts to combat transnational crime and criminal organizations as well as money laundering and the financing of terrorism, including counterfeiting and recovery of illicit funds.

The two countries would strengthen cooperation on criminal investigations and deepen collaboration in combating embezzlement, said the statement.

Meanwhile, China and the United States voiced support for the peace and stability in South Asia.

Both sides support the efforts of Afghanistan and Pakistan to fight terrorism, maintain domestic stability and achieve sustainable economic and social development, said the statement.

They also pledged support for the improvement and growth of relations between India and Pakistan.