Ji?í Paroubek, the prime minister of the Czech
Republic, met Premier Wen
Jiabao in Prague yesterday and they signed a joint declaration
pledging to further develop relations.
"The two countries agreed to develop good relations
within the framework of the China-European Union comprehensive
strategic partnership and on the basis of the 1999 (Sino-Czech)
joint communiqué," according to the document.
"To keep and promote bilateral relations is in line
with the aspirations of the two peoples and is in the interests of
both countries," it said, adding that both sides respected each
other's choice of development path and domestic and foreign
policies in line with their own national conditions.
The Czech government said it would stick to a "one
China" policy, which the Chinese side said was appreciated.
They agreed to complete as soon as possible the
preparation of a final text for an agreement to avoid double
taxation and tax fraud, and also to consult on exports of Czech
agricultural products to China.
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in
science and technology, culture, education, sports, public health,
tourism and civil aviation and enhance exchanges on regional levels
and among citizens.
They underlined each other's obligations in the
protection of human rights and the importance of dialogue between
China and the EU on the issue. The Czech side welcomed China's
pledge to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights as soon as possible.
The two sides voiced support for a stronger UN and
for UN reform. Both favor the democratization of international
relations, respect of multilateralism and diversification of
cultures and development models.
(Xinhua News Agency December 9, 2005)