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

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

TAIWAN

The United States welcomes the peaceful development of cross-Straits ties and "more positive and stable" cross-Straits relations, said the joint statement.

Both sides underscored the importance of the Taiwan issue in China-US relations, it said.

The Chinese side emphasized that the Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and expressed the hope that the US side will honor its relevant commitments and appreciate and support the Chinese side's position on this issue.

The US side stated that the United States follows its one-China policy and abides by the principles of the three China-US joint communiques, said the statement.

The two sides reiterated that "the fundamental principle of respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity is at the core of the three Sino-US joint communiques which guide China-US relations. Neither side supports any attempts by any force to undermine this principle," said the statement.

The two sides agreed that respecting each other's core interests is extremely important to ensure steady progress in China-US relations.

MILITARY, SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION

China and the United States pledged to "take concrete steps" to advance "sustained and reliable" military-to-military relations in the future, said the statement.

The goal is to improve the Chinese and US militaries' capabilities for practical cooperation and foster greater understanding of each other's intentions and of the international security environment, it said.

Meanwhile, China and the United States recognize common interests in promoting the peaceful use of outer space and agree to enhance security in outer space.

Both sides also agreed to further collaboration to jointly research in the health sector and in the control of diseases, especially pandemics.

The joint research will include that on stem cells. Both sides will deepen cooperation on global public health issues, including the prevention, surveillance, reporting and control of A/H1N1 influenza, avian influenza, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, said the statement.

The two sides will also enhance cooperation on food and product safety and quality, it added.

Both sides agreed to further upgrade the level of exchanges and cooperation in scientific and technological innovation through the China-US Joint Commission on Science and Technology Cooperation.