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President's Boris Yeltsin and Jaing Zemin during their historic Summit on December 9-10, 1999

The two leaders issued the following joint statement:

First, the two heads of state emphasize that the conclusions and evaluations enshrined in the "Sino-Russian Joint Statement on Worldwide Multi-Polarization and Establishment of New International Order" on April 23, 1997, the "Sino-Russian Joint Statement" on November 10, 1997, and the "Joint Statement on Sino- Russian Relations at the Turn of the Century" and the "Joint Press Communique on Sino-Russian Summit Results" on November 23, 1998, are still of great practical significance.

The two presidents reiterate that China and Russia will continue to abide by the principled stance on international issues elaborated in the aforementioned documents.

They propose to push forward the establishment of a multi-polar world on the basis of the principles of the United Nations Charter and existing international laws in the 21st century, strengthen the UN's dominant status in international affairs, and peacefully resolve international disputes through political means.

The two leaders maintain that all members of the international community should be treated equally, enjoy the same security, respect each other in their choice of development paths, respect each other's sovereignty, not interfere in each other's internal affairs, and establish a fair, equal, and mutually beneficial international political and economic order.

The two sides call for the concerted effort of all the nations to set up a democratic, balanced, and multi-polar world pattern to facilitate harmonious co-existence, constructive mutual influence, and mutual exchanges among the various cultures.

The two sides also stress that the equal status of all sovereign states should be guaranteed.

Second, the two sides must point out that a negative momentum has developed in the area of international security.

The two sides hold that establishment of a national missile defense system by any signatory state in violation of the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missiles (ABM) treaty will have a destructive impact upon a series of international agreements concerning strategic stability, the reduction and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their carriers, and upon the possibility for progress in these regards.

The two sides reaffirm their opposition to the violation of the 1972 ABM treaty, and emphasize that the treaty has constituted one of the pillars of strategic stability in the past, continues to do so at present, and should remain so in the future.

The two sides maintain that the 1972 ABM treaty should be honored comprehensively and strictly.

The two sides point out that the resolution calling for maintaining and abiding by the ABM treaty, which was proposed by China, Russia, and Belarus and passed by the United Nations Assembly, is of great importance.

The two sides also point out that the plan of some countries to deploy a theater missiles defense system in the Asia-Pacific region will undermine peace and stability in the region. The Russian side supports China's position opposing the inclusion of China's Taiwan Province in any such plan in any form by any country.

The two sides express deep regrets over the United States' refusal to approve the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

The two countries emphasize that they share the same or identical positions on a series of key issues, which is the major point of departure for bilateral coordination effort designed to maintain strategic stability.

These key issues include the prevention of an arms race in outer space or through the use of information technology, implementation of nuclear non-proliferation treaties and the banning of chemical weapons, stipulations banning biological weapons, and setting a working agenda for a disarmament negotiations conference.

The Chinese side expresses an understanding of Russia's proposal to further reduce offensive strategic weapons on the part of Russian and United States.

The two sides hold that full responsibility for the consequences of any possible harm to strategic stability and international security will be placed on any country which undermines the disarmament framework.

The two sides also hold that it is increasingly imperative to closely coordinate actions safeguarding global strategic stability under the current situation.

Third, the two sides point out that negative momentum in international relations continues to grow, and the following is becoming more obvious:

The forcing of the international community to accept a uni-polar world pattern and a single model of culture, value concepts and ideology, and a weakening of the role of the United Nations and its Security Council; the seeking of excuses to give irresponsible explanations or amendment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter; the reinforcing and expanding of military blocs; the replacing of international law with power politics or even resorting to force; and the jeopardizing of the sovereignty of independent states using the concepts of "human rights are superior to sovereignty" and "humanitarian intervention. "

The two sides agree to work together with the rest of the world to oppose the momentum presently preventing the establishment of a just multi-polar structure for international relations.

Fourth, the two sides stress that one diplomatic priority for both China and Russia is safeguarding the authoritative role of the United Nations (UN) in international affairs.

The two sides agree that rational and thoughtful reform of the UN is conductive to strengthening its authority and role in the world. Also, the two sides believe that the UN Security Council takes prime responsibility for safeguarding international peace and security, so that its status and function should not be doubted or lessened under any circumstance.

The two sides reiterate that it is necessary to maintain the UN Charter rights empowering the permanent member nations of the UN Security Council for the sake of the UN's efficiency and stability.

Fifth, both China and Russia attach importance to their accession to the World Trade Organization under conditions ensuring equal status in the world trade system. This stance is also in the interest of all WTO members.

Currently, negotiations on WTO accession for both China and Russia are at a critical stage. The two sides believe that the WTO should have more universal representation, maintain the balance of rights and obligations, and take into consideration differing levels of socio-economic development.

Sixth, the two sides believe that international terrorism, religious extremism, ethnic separatism, and trans-national criminal activities including illegal trafficking in weapons, drugs, explosives, and economic crimes, pose serious threats to the security of sovereign states and the peace and stability of the world.

The two sides reiterate their determination to take concrete measures and strengthen coordination and cooperation in a bid to crack down on these crimes on both a bilateral and multi-lateral basis.

Seventh, the two countries express their satisfaction with the implementation of the Bishkek Declaration issued by the summit of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, known as " Shanghai Five States," on August 25, 1999.

The meeting of law enforcement department leaders from the above five countries on December 1 and 2, 1999, was a major step taken by all involved in the regard.

The two sides also believe that the meeting of defense ministers from these five countries which will be held next year is another important measure for implementing the Bishkek agreement.

The two sides believe the time is now ripe to prepare for the meeting of foreign ministers from these five countries.

The two sides also support the holding of discussions by experts from the five countries on multi-lateral economic cooperation, including cooperation in transportation and oil and gas development and transport. Relevant negotiations can be considered a significant part of the preparations for the five- country summit.

Eighth, the two sides declare that, as a prerequisite ensuring the dominant role of the United Nations, all nations should strictly observe the norms of international law and relevant resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council on Iraq, and that the Iraq problem can only be revolved by political means. Economic sanctions against Iraq should be lifted at the same time Iraq resumes its cooperation with the UN.

Ninth, developments in Kosovo and the escalation of ethnic tensions in the region, in particular the failure to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the trend toward splitting Kosovo from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, are of great concern to China and Russia.

As permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia urge relevant parties to completely and unconditionally implement all provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1244, fully respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yugoslavia, observe the UN Charter and generally recognized principles of international law, and respect the lawful rights of all nationalities in the Kosovo region.

Tenth, the two countries reiterate that they support each other in safeguarding national unity and sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Russia supports China's reunification efforts, reiterates its stance on the Taiwan issue as already announced in previously published documents, and does not accept the rhetoric that that cross-Straits relations are those of a "state-to-state relationship." The Chinese side is satisfied with the stand taken by the Russian side.

China reiterates its position that the Chechenya issue is purely the internal affair of Russia, and China supports the moves taken by Russia to crack down on separatist forces. Russia is also satisfied with China's position in this regard.

In line with the Sino-Russian equal and trustworthy strategic partnership of cooperation, the two sides are willing to strengthen their cooperation, considering that the two countries share similar or identical views on such issues as the establishment of an international multi-polar order and democracy and justice in international affairs.

Such coordination between the two countries in international affairs is not targeted at any third nation, but aimed only at safeguarding the fundamental interests of each country and consolidating peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the entire world.