China-US Joint Statement in 1997

October 29, 1997

China and the United States issued a joint statement in Washington on October 29, 1997, following the talks between visiting Chinese President Jiang Zemin and President Bill Clinton. Full text of the joint statement reads as follows:

At the invitation of President William J. Clinton of the United States of America, President Jiang Zemin of the People's Republic of China is paying a state visit to the United States from October 26 to November 3, 1997. This is the first state visit by the President of China to the United States in 12 years. President Jiang held formal talks with President Clinton in Washington D.C., and also met with Vice-President Al Gore, Congressional leaders and other American leaders. Talks also were held between Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

The two Presidents had an in-depth and productive exchange of views on the international situation, China-U.S. relations and the important opportunities and challenges facing the two countries. They agree that a sound and stable relationship between China and the United States serves the fundamental interests of both the Chinese and American peoples and is important to fulfilling their common responsibility to work for peace and prosperity in the 21st century.

They agree that while China and the United States have areas of both agreement and disagreement, they have a significant common interest and a firm common will to seize opportunities and meet challenges cooperatively, with candor and a determination to achieve concrete progress. China and the United States have major differences on the question of human rights. At the same time, they also have great potential for cooperation in maintaining global and regional peace and stability; promoting world economic growth; preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; advancing Asia-Pacific regional cooperation; combating narcotics trafficking, international organized crime and terrorism; strengthening bilateral exchanges and cooperation in economic development, trade, law environmental protection, energy, science and technology, and education and culture; as well as engaging in military exchanges.

The two Presidents are determined to build toward a constructive strategic partnership between China and the United States through increasing cooperation to meet international

challenges and promote peace and development in the world. To achieve this goal, they agree to approach China-U.S. relations from a long-term perspective on the basis of the principles of the three China-U.S. joint communiques.

China stresses that the Taiwan question is the most important and sensitive central question in China-U.S. relations, and that the proper handling of this question in strict compliance with the principles set forth in the three China-U.S. joint communiques hold the key to sound and stable growth of China-U.S. relations. The United States reiterates that it adheres to its "one China" policy and the principles set forth in the three China-U.S. joint communiques.

As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and the United States support the UN in its efforts, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, to play a positive and effective role on global issues, including peacekeeping and the promotion of economic and social development. Both countries support efforts to reform the UN and to make the Security Council more representative, while retaining and

improving its effectiveness. Stressing the need to put the UN on a firmer financial basis, both countries will participate actively in discussions on the Scale of Assessments in the UN.