Great Wall Hiking Tour -- Operated by China Hiking Adventures Inc. -- Overview

Full text: Press Communique between China and France

www.chinaview.cn 2009-04-01 18:44:45

BEIJING, April 1 (Xinhua) -- China and France released a press communique in both Beijing and Paris on Wednesday. The following is the full text of the communique.

Press Communique between China and France

1 April, 2009

After rounds of consultations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of France have agreed on the following:

The two sides reaffirmed that they attach great importance to China-France relations, and will take the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations as a good opportunity and work with a strategic and long-term perspective and on the basis of respecting each other and taking into account of each other's fundamental interests to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership. China and France reiterated their adherence to the principle of non-interference in each other's internal affairs set forth by the Charter of the United Nations and agreed to enhance consultation on issues relating to the fundamental interests of the two sides in the spirit of mutual trust.

France fully recognizes the importance and sensitivity of the Tibet issue and reaffirms its adherence to the one-China policy and the position that Tibet is an integral part of the Chinese territory, in accordance with the decision made by General Charles de Gaulle, which has not changed and will remain unchanged. Based on this spirit and the principle of non-interference in each other's internal affairs, France refuses to support any form of "Tibet independence".

The two sides hold the view that in the context of profound changes in the international political and economic situation, China and France, both as permanent members of the UN Security Council, shoulder major responsibilities in maintaining world peace and promoting development. The two sides stand ready to strengthen dialogue and coordination and jointly respond to global challenges including the international financial crisis.

Acting in this spirit, the two sides decided to conduct high-level contact and strategic dialogue at a proper time to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields and promote the harmonious and steady growth of China-France relations.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/01/content_11114649.htm

France says not to back "Tibet independence" in any form

www.chinaview.cn 2009-04-01 17:18:07

BEIJING, April 1 (Xinhua) -- France said on Wednesday in a press communique simultaneously issued by Chinese and French foreign ministries both in Beijing and Paris that it would not back "Tibet independence" in any form.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/01/content_11114385.htm

China, France announce to have high-level contact, strategic dialogue

www.chinaview.cn 2009-04-01 17:16:55

BEIJING, April 1 (Xinhua) -- China and France announced Wednesday to hold high-level contacts and strategic dialogues at a proper time.

The announcement was made in a press communique released by Chinese and French foreign ministries in both Beijing and Paris on Wednesday.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/01/content_11114378.htm

China appreciates France's commitment on Tibet

www.chinaview.cn 2009-04-02 17:05:39

BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- China said here Thursday it appreciates France's explicit commitment on not backing any form of "Tibetan independence".

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang made the remarks at a regular press briefing here Thursday.

China and France released a joint press communique both in Beijing and Paris on April 1.

The communique says that "France fully recognizes the importance and sensitivity of the Tibet issue and reaffirms its adherence to the one-China policy and the position that Tibet is an integral part of the Chinese territory, in accordance with the decision made by General Charles de Gaulle, which has not changed and will remain unchanged. Based on this spirit and the principle of non-interference in each other's internal affairs, France refuses to support any form of "Tibet independence".

"France made a solemn commitment," Qin said. "France's position is explicit and the meaning very clear and we hope France can abide by the principles and the spirit set forth in the communique."

"China has always attached great importance to China-France relations and is willing to work with France to enhance communication and cooperation in line with the basic principles of international relations including mutual respect, non-interference in each other's internal affairs and treating each other on an equal footing, so as to promote the sound and stable development of their comprehensive strategic partnership," said Qin.

Qin noted, "There was no country in the world that recognized Tibet independence and the so-called Tibetan government-in-exile. The international community had seen clearly that the Tibetan secessionists were separating China and harming its diplomatic ties with other countries."

Qin reiterated China's positions on the Tibet issue.

"We oppose the Dalai Lama engaging in activities overseas aimed at splitting the motherland under any name or pretext."

"We are resolutely opposed to any leaders or personages having official contact with the Dalai Lama and we are opposed to any foreign country interfering in China's internal affairs on this issue," he added.

According to Qin, what China requires other countries, including France, to do is to abide by international laws and regulations.

"The Chinese government didn't ask other countries to do anything beyond this sphere," he said.

Chinese President Hu Jintao met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in London on Wednesday ahead of a Group of 20 summit on the global financial crisis scheduled for Thursday, signifying the restoration of bilateral ties soured by the French leader's meeting with leading Tibetan separatist the Dalai Lama.

The meeting also came hours after China and France issued a press communique on Wednesday that said the two sides "attach great importance to China-France relations" and reiterated their adherence to the principle of non-interference in each other's internal affairs.

Relations hit a low after French President Nicolas Sarkozy held a private meeting with the Dalai Lama last year in Poland when France held the rotating presidency of the European Union. China postponed the 11th China-EU Summit and lodged a strong protest against the meeting, saying it "severely undermined China's core interests."

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/02/content_11121058.htm

China, France restore ties as presidents meet in London

www.chinaview.cn 2009-04-02 05:51:47

LONDON, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy here Wednesday night, signifying the restoration of bilateral ties soured by the French leader's meeting with leading Tibetan separatist the Dalai Lama.

"Our meeting today means a new starting point for the bilateral relations, and I hope the two sides would work together to usher in a new phase in Sino-French ties," Hu said at the start of his meeting with Sarkozy.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with French President Nicolas Sarkozy during their meeting in London, Britain, on April 1, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

The two leaders were meeting ahead of a Group of 20 summit on the global financial crisis, scheduled for Thursday.

The meeting also came hours after China and France issued a press communique Wednesday, which said the two sides "attach great importance to China-France relations" and reiterated their adherence to the principle of non-interference in each other's internal affairs.

In the communique, France pledged not to support "Tibet independence" in any form.

Relations between China and France deteriorated last December when Sarkozy decided to meet with the Dalai Lama in Poland.

"Severe difficulties" had cropped up in bilateral relations a few months before, which the Chinese side did not want to see, Hu said.

"China appreciates France's latest move and feels happy about the restoration of bilateral relations," Hu said.

Sarkozy said that no matter how France-China relations change, he believed there is only one China in the world, with Taiwan and Tibet constituting inalienable parts of Chinese territory.

The French president said he was glad the two countries restored their comprehensive strategic partnership and resumed strategic dialogue.

He expressed the hope that the two countries would seek to promote the steady and harmonious development of bilateral ties in politics, economy, diplomacy and other areas.

Hu said this year marked the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France. "The past 45 years of bilateral ties offer a profound inspiration and teach us a lot."

"First of all, it is in the fundamental interests of both nations to develop long-term stable and friendly relations, which is also conducive to world peace, stability and prosperity," Hu said.

Hu said both countries should treat and handle their bilateral ties from a strategic and long-term perspective.

It is only natural that differences exist between China and France over some issues, Hu said. Both sides should follow the principles of mutual respect, equal treatment and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, Hu said. "Both should properly handle their differences and the sensitive issues on the basis of respect for each other's core interests."

China and France, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, should strengthen communication and expand cooperation so as to play crucial roles in efforts to meet global challenges and make positive contributions to promoting world peace and development, Hu said.

In view of the complicated and volatile international situation and the spreading global financial crisis, both sides should adhere to the correct orientation of bilateral relations, removing obstacles and working together closely to advance bilateral ties.

Hu also called for strengthening high-level exchanges and cooperation in various areas as well as increased communication and coordination in efforts to tackle the global financial crisis.

Noting China's increasingly important role in the international economic system, Sarkozy said France would like to work with China to push for the reform of the international financial institutions.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/02/content_11116339.htm

China appreciates France's commitment on Tibet

www.chinaview.cn 2009-04-02 17:05:39

BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- China said here Thursday it appreciates France's explicit commitment on not backing any form of "Tibetan independence".

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang made the remarks at a regular press briefing here Thursday.

China and France released a joint press communique both in Beijing and Paris on April 1.

"France made a solemn commitment," Qin said. "France's position is explicit and the meaning very clear and we hope France can abide by the principles and the spirit set forth in the communique."

Qin reiterated China's positions on the Tibet issue.

"We oppose the Dalai Lama engaging in activities overseas aimed at splitting the motherland under any name or pretext."

According to Qin, what China requires other countries, including France, to do is to abide by international laws and regulations.

"The Chinese government didn't ask other countries to do anything beyond this sphere," he said.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/02/content_11121058.htm

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