Full text of China-U.S. joint statement
China and the United States on Wednesday issued a joint statement,
which covers a range of issues such as strengthening bilateral
relations, addressing regional and global challenges, building a
comprehensive and mutually beneficial economic partnership, and
cooperating on climate change, energy and the environment. Following is
the full text of the joint statement:
China-U.S. Joint Statement
January 19, 2011, Washington
1. At the invitation of President Barack Obama of the United States of
America, President Hu Jintao of the People's Republic of China is
paying a state visit to the United States of America on January 18-21,
2011. During his visit, President Hu also met with Vice President
Joseph Biden, will meet with U.S. Congressional leadership, and will
visit Chicago.
2. The two Presidents reviewed the progress made in the relationship
since President Obama's November 2009 state visit to China and
reaffirmed their commitment to building a positive, cooperative and
comprehensive China-U.S. relationship for the 21st century, which
serves the interests of the Chinese and American peoples and of the
global community. The two sides reaffirmed that the three Joint
Communiques issued by China and the United States laid the political
foundation for the relationship and will continue to guide the
development of China-U.S. relations. The two sides reaffirmed respect
for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Presidents
further reaffirmed their commitment to the November 2009 China-U.S.
Joint Statement.
3. China and the United States are committed to work together to build
a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit in
order to promote the common interests of both countries and to address
the 21st century's opportunities and challenges. China and the United
States are actively cooperating on a wide range of security, economic,
social, energy, and environmental issues which require deeper bilateral
engagement and coordination. The two leaders agreed that broader and
deeper collaboration with international partners and institutions is
required to develop and implement sustainable solutions and to promote
peace, stability, prosperity, and the well-being of peoples throughout
the world.
Strengthening China-U.S. Relations
4. Recognizing the importance of the common challenges that they face
together, China and the United States decided to continue working
toward a partnership that advances common interests, addresses shared
concerns, and highlights international responsibilities. The two
leaders recognize that the relationship between China and the United
States is both vital and complex. China and the United States have set
an example of positive and cooperative relations between countries,
despite different political systems, historical and cultural
backgrounds, and levels of economic development. The two sides agreed
to work further to nurture and deepen bilateral strategic trust to
enhance their relations. They reiterated the importance of deepening
dialogue aimed at expanding practical cooperation and affirmed the need
to work together to address areas of disagreement, expand common
ground, and strengthen coordination on a range of issues.
5. The United States reiterated that it welcomes a strong, prosperous
and successful China that plays a greater role in world affairs. China
welcomes the United States as an Asia-Pacific nation that contributes
to peace, stability and prosperity in the region. Working together,
both leaders support efforts to build a more stable, peaceful, and
prosperous Asia-Pacific region for the 21st century.
6. Both sides underscored the importance of the Taiwan issue in
China-U.S. relations. The Chinese side emphasized that the Taiwan issue
concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and expressed
the hope that the U.S. side will honor its relevant commitments and
appreciate and support the Chinese side's position on this issue. The
U.S. side stated that the United States follows its one-China policy
and abides by the principles of the three China-U.S. Joint Communiques.
The United States applauded the Economic Cooperation Framework
Agreement between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and welcomed the
new lines of communications developing between them. The United States
supports the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait
and looks forward to efforts by both sides to increase dialogues and
interactions in economic, political, and other fields, and to develop
more positive and stable cross-Strait relations.
7. China and the United States reiterated their commitment to the
promotion and protection of human rights, even as they continue to have
significant differences on these issues. The United States stressed
that the promotion of human rights and democracy is an important part
of its foreign policy. China stressed that there should be no
interference in any country's internal affairs. China and the United
States underscored that each country and its people have the right to
choose their own path, and all countries should respect each other's
choice of a development model. Addressing differences on human rights
in a spirit of equality and mutual respect, as well as promoting and
protecting human rights consistent with international instruments, the
two sides agreed to hold the next round of the China-U.S. Human Rights
Dialogue before the third round of the Strategic and Economic Dialogue
(S&ED).
8. China and the United States agreed to hold the next round of the
resumed Legal Experts Dialogue before the next Human Rights Dialogue
convenes. China and the United States further agreed to strengthen
cooperation in the field of law and exchanges on the rule of law. China
and the United States are actively exploring exchanges and discussions
on the increasing role of women in society.
9. China and the United States affirmed that a healthy, stable and
reliable military-to-military relationship is an essential part of
President Hu's and President Obama's shared vision for a positive,
cooperative, and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship. Both sides
agreed on the need for enhanced and substantive dialogue and
communication at all levels: to reduce misunderstanding, misperception,
and miscalculation; to foster greater understanding and expand mutual
interest; and to promote the healthy, stable, and reliable development
of the military-to-military relationship. Both sides noted the
successful visit of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to China earlier
this month, and that the United States welcomes Chief of the PLA
General Staff General Chen Bingde to the United States in the first
half of 2011. Both sides reaffirmed that the Defense Consultative
Talks, the Defense Policy Coordination Talks, and the Military Maritime
Consultative Agreement will remain important channels of communication
in the future. Both sides will work to execute the seven priority areas
for developing military-to-military relations as agreed to by Secretary
Gates and General Xu Caihou, Vice Chairman of the Central Military
Commission in October 2009.
10. China and the United States agreed to take specific actions to
deepen dialogue and exchanges in the field of space. The United States
invited a Chinese delegation to visit NASA headquarters and other
appropriate NASA facilities in 2011 to reciprocate for the productive
visit of the U.S. NASA Administrator to China in 2010. The two sides
agreed to continue discussions on opportunities for practical future
cooperation in the space arena, based on principles of transparency,
reciprocity, and mutual benefit.
11. China and the United States acknowledged the accomplishments under
the bilateral Agreement on Cooperation in Science and Technology, one
of the longest-standing bilateral agreements between the two countries,
and welcomed the signing of its extension. China and the United States
will continue to cooperate in such diverse areas as agriculture,
health, energy, environment, fisheries, student exchanges, and
technological innovation in order to advance mutual well-being.
12. China and the United States welcomed progress by the China-U.S.
Joint Liaison Group on Law Enforcement Cooperation (JLG) to strengthen
law enforcement cooperation across a range of issues, including
counterterrorism. China and the United States also agreed to enhance
joint efforts to combat corruption through bilateral and other means.
Promoting High-Level Exchanges
13. The two sides agreed that high-level exchanges are indispensable to
strong China-U.S. relations, and that close, frequent, and in-depth
dialogue is important to advance bilateral relations and international
peace and development. In this spirit, both Presidents look forward to
meeting again in the coming year, including in the state of Hawaii for
the U.S.-hosted 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders'
meeting. China welcomed Vice President Biden for a visit in 2011. The
United States welcomed a subsequent visit by Vice President Xi Jinping.
14. The two sides praised the S&ED [Stratetic and Economic
Dialogue] as a key mechanism for coordination between the two
governments, and agreed to hold the third round of the S&ED in
Washington, D.C., in May 2011. The S&ED has played an important
role in helping build trust and confidence between the two countries.
The two sides also agreed to hold the second meeting of the High-Level
Consultation on People-to-People Exchange in the United States in the
spring of 2011, and the 22nd meeting of the China-U.S. Joint Commission
on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) in China in the second half of 2011. The
two sides agreed to maintain close communication between the foreign
ministers of the two countries through mutual visits, meetings, and
other means.
15. The two sides emphasized the importance of continued interaction
between their legislatures, including institutionalized exchanges
between the National People's Congress of China and the U.S. Senate and
House of Representatives.
Addressing Regional and Global Challenges
16. The two sides believe that China and the United States have a
common interest in promoting peace and security in the Asia-Pacific
region and beyond, and agreed to enhance communication and coordination
to address pressing regional and global challenges. The two sides
undertake to act to protect the global environment and to work in
concert on global issues to help safeguard and promote the sustainable
development of all countries and peoples. Specifically, China and the
United States agreed to advance cooperation to: counter violent
extremism; prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, other weapons
of mass destruction, and their means of delivery; strengthen nuclear
security; eliminate infectious disease and hunger; end extreme poverty;
respond effectively to the challenge of climate change; counter piracy;
prevent and mitigate disasters; address cyber-security; fight
transnational crime; and combat trafficking in persons. In coordination
with other parties, China and the United States will endeavor to
increase cooperation to address common concerns and promote shared
interests.
17. China and the United States underlined their commitment to the
eventual realization of a world without nuclear weapons and the need to
strengthen the international nuclear non-proliferation regime to
address the threats of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism. In
this regard, both sides support early entry into force of the
Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), reaffirmed their support
for the early commencement of negotiations on a Fissile Material Cutoff
Treaty in the Conference on Disarmament, and agreed to work together to
reach these goals. The two sides also noted their deepening cooperation
on nuclear security following the Washington Nuclear Security Summit
and signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will help establish a
Center of Excellence on Nuclear Security in China.
18. China and the United States agreed on the critical importance of
maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula as underscored
by the Joint Statement of September 19, 2005 and relevant UN Security
Council Resolutions. Both sides expressed concern over heightened
tensions on the Peninsula triggered by recent developments. The two
sides noted their continuing efforts to cooperate closely on matters
concerning the Peninsula. China and the United States emphasized the
importance of an improvement in North-South relations and agreed that
sincere and constructive inter-Korean dialogue is an essential step.
Agreeing on the crucial importance of denuclearization of the Peninsula
in order to preserve peace and stability in Northeast Asia, China and
the United States reiterated the need for concrete and effective steps
to achieve the goal of denuclearization and for full implementation of
the other commitments made in the September 19, 2005 Joint Statement of
the Six-Party Talks. In this context, China and the United States
expressed concern regarding the DPRK's claimed uranium enrichment
program. Both sides oppose all activities inconsistent with the 2005
Joint Statement and relevant international obligations and commitments.
The two sides called for the necessary steps that would allow for early
resumption of the Six-Party Talks process to address this and other
relevant issues.
19. On the Iranian nuclear issue, China and the United States
reiterated their commitment to seeking a comprehensive and long-term
solution that would restore international confidence in the exclusively
peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program. Both sides agreed that Iran
has the right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy under the
Non-Proliferation Treaty and that Iran should fulfill its due
international obligations under that treaty. Both sides called for full
implementation of all relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. China
and the United States welcomed and will actively participate in the
P5+1 process with Iran, and stressed the importance of all parties --
including Iran -- committing to a constructive dialogue process.
22. President Hu and President Obama recognized the vital importance of
working together to build a cooperative economic partnership of mutual
respect and mutual benefit to both countries and to the global economy.
The two leaders agreed to promote comprehensive economic cooperation,
and will further develop a framework of comprehensive economic
cooperation, relying on existing mechanisms, by the third round of the
S&ED in May, based on the main elements outlined below:
23. The two sides agreed to strengthen macroeconomic communication and
cooperation, in support of strong, sustainable and balanced growth in
the United States, China and the global economy.
-- The United States will focus on reducing its medium-term federal
deficit and ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability, and will maintain
vigilance against excess volatility in exchange rates. The Federal
Reserve has taken important steps in recent years to increase the
clarity of its communications regarding its outlook and longer-run
objectives.-- China will intensify efforts to expand domestic demand,
to promote private investment in the service sector, and to give
greater play to the fundamental role of the market in resource
allocation. China will continue to promote RMB exchange rate reform,
enhance RMB exchange rate flexibility, and promote the transformation
of its economic development model.-- Both sides agree to continue to
pursue forward-looking monetary policies with due regards to the
ramifications of those policies for the international economy.
The two sides affirmed support for efforts by European leaders to
reinforce market stability and promote sustainable, long-term growth.
24. The two countries, recognizing the importance of open trade and
investment in fostering economic growth, job creation, innovation, and
prosperity, affirmed their commitment to take further steps to
liberalize global trade and investment, and to oppose trade and
investment protectionism. The two sides also agreed to work proactively
to resolve bilateral trade and investment disputes in a constructive,
cooperative, and mutually beneficial manner.
25. The two leaders emphasized their strong commitment to direct their
negotiators to engage in across-the-board negotiations to promptly
bring the WTO Doha Development Round to a successful, ambitious,
comprehensive, and balanced conclusion, consistent with the mandate of
the Doha Development Round and built on the progress already achieved.
The two sides agreed that engagement between our representatives must
intensify and expand in order to complete the end game.
26. The two leaders agreed on the importance of achieving a more
balanced trade relationship, and spoke highly of the progress made on
this front, including at the recent 21st Meeting of the Joint
Commission on Commerce and Trade in Washington, D.C.
27. China will continue to strengthen its efforts to protect IPR,
including by conducting audits to ensure that government agencies at
all levels use legitimate software and by publishing the auditing
results as required by China's law. China will not link its innovation
policies to the provision of government procurement preferences. The
United States welcomed China's agreement to submit a robust, second
revised offer to the WTO Government Procurement Committee before the
Committee's final meeting in 2011, which will include sub-central
entities.
28. The two leaders acknowledged the importance of fostering open,
fair, and transparent investment environments to their domestic
economies and to the global economy and reaffirmed their commitment to
the ongoing Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) negotiations, recognizing
that a successful BIT negotiation would support an open global economy
by facilitating and protecting investment, and enhancing transparency
and predictability for investors of both countries. China welcomed the
United States' commitment to consult through the JCCT in a cooperative
manner to work towards China's Market Economy Status in an expeditious
manner. China welcomed discussion between the two sides on the ongoing
reform of the U.S. export control system, and its potential
implications for U.S. exports to its major trading partners, including
China, consistent with U.S. national security interests.
29. The two sides further acknowledged the deep and robust nature of
the commercial relationship, including the contracts concluded at this
visit, and welcomed the mutual economic benefits resulting from the
relationship.
30. The two sides agreed to continue working to make concrete progress
on the bilateral economic relationship through the upcoming S&ED
and the JCCT process.
31. China and the United States recognized the potential for their
firms to play a positive role in the infrastructure development in each
country and agreed to strengthen cooperation in this area.
32. The two countries committed to deepen bilateral and multilateral
cooperation on financial sector investment and regulation, and support
open environments for investment in financial services and cross-border
portfolio investment, consistent with prudential and national security
requirements. The United States is committed to ensuring that the GSEs
have sufficient capital and the ability to meet their financial
obligations.
33. China and the United States agree that currencies in the SDR basket
should only be those that are heavily used in international trade and
financial transactions. In that regard, the United States supports
China's efforts over time to promote inclusion of the RMB in the SDR
basket.
34. The two countries pledged to work together to strengthen the global
financial system and reform the international financial architecture.
The two sides will continue their strong cooperation to strengthen the
legitimacy and improve the effectiveness of the International Monetary
Fund and Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs). The two sides will
jointly promote efforts of the international community to assist
developing countries, in particular the Least Developed Countries to
achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The two sides will
also, in partnership with the Multilateral Development Banks, explore
cooperation that supports global poverty reduction and development, and
regional integration including in Africa, to contribute to inclusive
and sustainable economic growth.
35. The two countries reiterated their support for the G-20 Framework
for Strong, Sustainable and Balanced Growth and reaffirmed their
commitments made in the Seoul Summit Declaration, including using the
full range of policies to strengthen the global recovery and to reduce
excessive imbalances and maintain current account imbalances at
sustainable levels. The two sides support a bigger role for the G-20 in
international economic and financial affairs, and pledged to strengthen
communication and coordination to follow through on the commitments of
the G-20 summits and push for positive outcomes at the Cannes Summit.
36. The two sides view climate change and energy security as two of the
greatest challenges of our time. China and the United States agreed to
continue their close consultations on action to address climate change,
coordinate to achieve energy security for our peoples and the world,
build on existing clean energy cooperation, ensure open markets,
promote mutually beneficial investment in climate friendly energy,
encourage clean energy, and facilitate advanced clean energy technology
development.
37. Both sides applauded the progress made in clean energy and energy
security since the launch of the China-U.S. Clean Energy Research
Center, Renewable Energy Partnership, China-U.S. Joint Statement on
Energy Security Cooperation, and Energy Cooperation Program (ECP). Both
sides reaffirmed their ongoing exchanges on energy policy and
cooperation on oil, natural gas (including shale gas), civilian nuclear
energy, wind and solar energy, smart grid, advanced bio-fuels, clean
coal, energy efficiency, electric vehicles and clean energy technology
standards.
38. The two sides commended the progress made since the launch of the
China-U.S. Ten Year Framework on Energy and Environment Cooperation
(TYF) in 2008. They agreed to further strengthen practical cooperation
under the TYF, carry out action plans in the priority areas of water,
air, transportation, electricity, protected areas, wetlands, and energy
efficiency, engage in policy dialogues, and implement the
EcoPartnerships program. China and the United States were also pleased
to announce two new EcoPartnerships. The two sides welcomed local
governments, enterprises, and research institutes of the two countries
to participate in the TYF, and jointly explore innovative models for
China-U.S. energy and environment cooperation. The two sides welcomed
the cooperation projects and activities which will be carried out in
2011 under the TYF.
39. The two sides welcomed the Cancun Agreements and believed that it
is important that efforts to address climate change also advance
economic and social development. Working together and with other
countries, the two sides agreed to actively promote the comprehensive,
effective, and sustained implementation of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change, including the implementation of the
Cancun agreements and support efforts to achieve positive outcomes at
this year's conference in South Africa.
Expanding People-to-People Exchanges
40. China and the United States have long supported deeper and broader
people-to-people ties as part of a larger effort to build a cooperative
partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit. Both sides
agreed to take concrete steps to enhance these people-to-people
exchanges. Both sides noted with satisfaction the successful Expo 2010
in Shanghai, and the Chinese side complimented the United States on its
USA Pavilion. The two sides announced the launch of a China-U.S.
Governors Forum and decided to further support exchanges and
cooperation at local levels in a variety of fields, including support
for the expansion of the sister province and city relationships. China
and the United States also agreed to take concrete steps to strengthen
dialogue and exchanges between their young people, particularly through
the 100,000 Strong Initiative. The United States warmly welcomes more
Chinese students in American educational institutions, and will
continue to facilitate visa issuance for them. The two sides agreed to
discuss ways of expanding cultural interaction, including exploring a
China-U.S. cultural year event and other activities. The two sides
underscored their commitment to further promoting and facilitating
increased tourism. China and the United States agreed that all these
activities help deepen understanding, trust, and cooperation.
Conclusion
41. President Hu Jintao expressed his thanks to President Obama and the
American people for their warm reception and hospitality during his
visit. The two Presidents agreed that the visit has furthered
China-U.S. relations, and both sides resolved to work together to build
a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit.
The two Presidents shared a deep belief that a stronger China-U.S.
relationship not only serves the fundamental interests of their
respective peoples, but also benefits the entire Asia-Pacific region
and the world.
Xinhua