Joint Press Communiqué of The People's Republic of China and the Republic of Indonesia

2004-04-22 10:35

At the invitation of His Excellency Jiang Zemin, President of the People's Republic of China, His Excellency KH Abdurrahman Wahid, President of the Republic of Indonesia paid a state visit to the People's Republic of China from December 1 to 3, 1999.

During the visit, President Jiang Zemin and President Wahid held talks in which they conducted useful discussions on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of common interest, and reached broad agreement. Both sides believe that President Wahid's visit to China is a complete success and is of important significance to deepened development of China-Indonesia relations in the future.

The two sides reviewed the progress of the bilateral relations following the resumption of diplomatic ties in 1990 and expressed their satisfaction with the progress made in all areas of cooperation. The two sides maintain that the friendly relations and cooperation on a basis of equality, mutual benefit, mutual understanding and respect conform to the fundamental interests of the two peoples and contribute to the peace, stability and prosperity both in the region and the world.

The two sides have come to the view that at the turn of the century, China-Indonesia relations are faced with important opportunities for further improvement and growth. The two sides reaffirmed their willingness to consolidate the existing traditional friendship on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Ten Principles of Bundung Conference, and reiterated their joint commitment to the establishment and development of a long-term and stable relationship of good-neighborliness, mutual trust and all-round cooperation. To this end, foreign ministries of the two countries will work out and sign a framework document on the 21st century-oriented cooperation at an early date.

The two sides believe that frequent exchange of high-level visits and contacts conduces to the sound and steady development of the bilateral friendly relations. The two sides agree to make full use of the existing forums of bilateral consultations, strengthen the friendly exchanges between government departments, parliaments, political parties, military circles and non-governmental organizations of the two countries, and intensify cooperation in such areas as culture, education, health, sports and tourism, so as to promote the all-round and in-depth development of the bilateral friendly relations and cooperation.

The two sides fully endorse the achievements the two countries have made in trade and economic cooperation, and are willing to further expand their mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, science and technology, industry, agriculture, fishery, energy, mining, telecommunication and finance. The two sides will make concerted efforts to promote a more conducive environment for better trade and economic cooperation, increase transparency and impartiality of trade related regulations, impel closer contacts and mutually beneficially cooperation of various forms between business communities of the two sides, and hold regular joint investment promotion. In order to materialize the intended cooperation agreed upon by leaders of the two countries, the two sides have decided through consultation that the fifth Sino-Indonesian joint economic and trade commission will meet in the first half of next year and that the Chinese side will send an entrepreneurs' delegation to Indonesia at the earliest possible date.

The two sides emphasize that they will adhere to the principle of mutual respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Chinese side supports the Indonesian Government in its efforts to maintain national unity and territorial integrity. The Chinese side holds that stability and prosperity in Indonesia is conducive to the regional peace and development. The Indonesian side reiterates that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the entire Chinese people, Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory and that Indonesia will continue to pursue the one China policy.

The two sides exchanged views on the current regional economic situation. The Chinese side notes with pleasure that thanks to their efforts, Indonesia and other countries concerned in the region are making positive progress in their economic recovery. The Indonesian side appreciates the continuing support of China to Indonesia since the outbreak of the Asian financial crisis. The two sides believe that the Asian countries should uphold their own values, choose their development path in line with their actual national conditions, and conduct more extensive cooperation so as to jointly confront challenges brought by the economic globalization.

The two sides expressed satisfaction over the continuous development and positive results of China-ASEAN friendly relations in recent years. The Chinese side appreciates Indonesia's positive role in promoting the development of China-ASEAN relations and supports Indonesia in its efforts to enhance ASEAN solidarity and cooperation and push for a bigger ASEAN role in international and regional affairs. The Indonesian side reaffirms its continued commitment to a China-ASEAN friendly and cooperative relationship of good-neighborliness and mutual trust. The two sides highly evaluate the progress in the informal leadership meeting between ASEAN, China, Japan and ROK, and stand ready to contribute to the further progress of the East Asian cooperation process.

The two sides are of the view that profound changes are taking place in the international situation and that multipolarization is a general trend in establishing a more just and balanced world order. The two sides emphasize that the United Nations Charter, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the universally-recognized basic norms governing international relations are the basis for a new international political, economic and security order, and should therefore be observed by all. No country has the right to interfere in other sovereign states' internal affairs under whatever pretext.

The two sides reaffirm their position that both the universality of human rights and the domestic conditions of each country should be respected. The two sides consider it essential to exchange views on the issue of human rights at the international level based on the spirit of cooperation, dialogue and non-confrontation as well as respect for state sovereignty. The two sides maintain that the human rights issues can not be solved by sacrificing the principle of state sovereignty and sovereign equality among nations as there must be a solution that does not demolish a principle on which the United Nations itself was founded.

The two sides support the endeavors of forging a universal and effective compliance with the implementation of the provisions of bilateral as well as multilateral agreements on the limitation and disarmament of weapons, in particular weapons of mass destruction. Failure to comply with these treaties will only threaten regional and global stability. The two sides agree that the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty remains the cornerstone for the maintenance of international peace, security and strategic stability. The development of any Theater Missile Defense (TMD) system in the Asia-Pacific region is not conducive to strengthening the regional security. On the contrary, it will only impel arms race and result in increased tension, which is disadvantageous to regional peace, stability and development.

The two sides reiterate that they will strengthen their consultation and cooperation at UN, WTO, APEC, ASEM and other multilateral organizations, continue to support the solidarity and cooperation among the Third World countries, and the Non-Aligned Movement, and that they are willing to work together for the establishment of a fair and equitable new international political and economic order and for the maintenance of world peace and stability.

President Wahid thanked the Government and people of the People's Republic of China for the gracious hospitality, and invited President Jiang Zemin to visit the Republic of Indonesia at an early date. President Jiang Zemin accepted the invitation with pleasure.