China and Algeria issued a joint communique Thursday in Beijing, praising the friendship and planning the future cooperation between the two countries.

The communique says President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of the Democratic People's Republic of Algeria paid a state visit to China from October 12 to 15, 2000, at the invitation of President Jiang Zemin of the People's Republic of China.

The purpose of the visit is to strengthen the friendship between the peoples of the two countries, to consolidate the special relations between the two countries, and to demonstrate the wish of both sides to continue to develop bilateral cooperation.

It says that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and his party were warmly treated by the Chinese Government and people, which shows the deep historical bond between the two countries, as well as President Jiang Zemin and the Chinese Government and people's friendly sentiment towards President Bouteflika and the Algerian people.

The two heads of state conducted deep and wide-ranging talks and reviewed with satisfaction the development of the friendly cooperative relations between the two countries over the past four decades since the two countries forged into diplomatic ties.

The two presidents also discussed ways to strengthen the relationship between the two countries so as to establish a strategic cooperation that is in line with the interests of both countries, the document says.

The Algerian side reiterated its support for China's unremitting efforts to realize the peaceful reunification of Taiwan with the motherland.

The two sides stressed that the economies of the two countries have their respective advantages and they are highly complementary to each other, and thus, the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries enjoys bright prospects.

The two sides are willing to work together to explore new and more effective ways and means of cooperation to deepen and widen their economic and trade relations, according to the communique.

During President Bouteflika's visit to China, the two sides signed an agreement of economic and technologic cooperation and other documents.

The two sides agreed that the government departments of the two countries should continue to create favorable conditions and provide conveniences for the two-way trade and investment.

The communique says that the two sides agreed that while the world is moving rapidly toward multi-polarity and economic globalization is fast advancing, the old inequitable and unjust world order has not changed fundamentally, and has brought severe challenges to the developing countries.

Therefore, China and Algeria will work together to strengthen the unity and cooperation between the developing countries, to establish an equitable and just new world order and to narrow the gap between the South and the North.

The two sides call on the international community to take swift and effective measures to crack down on all forms of terrorism that are threatening the security and stability of countries across the world, the communique says.

The two sides spoke highly of the international coordination and cooperation on the human rights issue. They agree that the right to life, a fundamental human right, is an internal affair of a sovereign state. Each country has the right, in accordance with their own national conditions, to choose the mode of human rights promotion and protection.

The two sides will continue their coordination and work together with other countries of the world for the healthy development of international human rights, the communique noted.

The document says that the two sides agree that as an important member of the international community, the African continent, although faced with regional conflicts and economic difficulties due to historical factors, is a land full of hope. Therefore, the two sides call on the international community pay more attention to Africa and invest more there.

The two sides believe that the African people will, through their own efforts and with the help of the international community, embark on a road of tranquillity and development in the new century, says the communique.

Chinese President Jiang Zemin highly praised the ceaseless efforts by Algerian President Bouteflika to quench disputes on the continent, and restore security and stability. And the Algerian president expressed admiration for the Chinese president's efforts in consolidating and strengthening China-African relations.

Bouteflika also expressed appreciation for China's cancellation of debts owed by some African countries.

The two heads of state were pleased to see the success of the Forum on China-African Cooperation held here from October 10 and 12, and agree that the forum has invigorated the South-South cooperation and opened bright prospects for the establishment of partnership between the developing countries, the document says.

On the Middle East issue, both sides reiterated that all national rights of the Palestinian people must be restored, including that of building an independent country on its territory, according to the communique.

The two sides also agree to support Syrian people to resume their legal rights over full sovereignty of the Golan Heights and to solve disputes through peaceful negotiations, to call upon the international society to help the relevant parts of the Middle East overcome the difficulties facing the current peaceful talks, to ensure that just, overall and lasting peace be realized in this region according to relevant resolutions of the United Nations and the principle of land for peace.

Recalling the development of the West Sahara issue, both sides emphasized they would support the efforts of the United Nations for the West Sahara people to hold free and just public voting and to solve disputes through peaceful means to ensure the safety and stability of the region, it says.

Both sides also exchanged views on other regional issues, holding that only by strictly observing the purpose and principle of the UN Charters and solving disputes through dialogue, negotiations and consultations, could contradictions be overcome, conflicts solved and lasting peace realized.

The communique says that both sides are willing to make joint efforts to strengthen the role of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and safety, and to support all types of efforts for the peaceful solution of regional conflicts.

Both sides agree that President Bouteflika's visit to China is very important, and one which will push forward the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries, the communique concluded.

(People’s Daily 10/13/2000)