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   VI. Arms Control and Disarmament
 Foreword
 I. The International Security Situation
 II. National Defense Policy
 III. National Defense Construction
 IV. International Security Cooperation
 V. Arms Control and Disarmament
 Foreword
 I. Sustainable Marine Development Strategy
 II. Rational Development and Utilization of Marine Resources
 III. The Protection and Preservationof the Marine Environment
 IV. The Development of Oceanographic Science, Technology and Education
 V. The Implementation of ComprehensiveMarine Management
 VI. International Cooperation in Maritime Affairs
 I.Soaring Trade Between Chinaand the United States
 II.Statistical Difference in Sino-USTrade Balance
 III.Statistics Based on Rules of Origin CannotsAccurately Reflect the Situation of Sino-US Trade Balance
 IV.US Export Control Against China-- a Major Obstacle for Bilateral Trade Balance
 V.Sino-US Economic and Trade Co-operationShows Vast Vistas
 Foreword
 I. Promoting Peace and Developmentfor All Mankind
  II. Military Personnel Reducedby One Million
 III. Maintaining a Low Level ofDefence Spending
 IV. Peaceful Uses for MilitaryIndustrial Technologies
 V. Strict Control over the Transferof Sensitive Materials andMilitary Equipment
 VI. Actively Promoting International Arms Control and Disarmament
 Concluding Remarks
 III. Judicial Guarantee for Human Rights
 Foreword
 Foreword
 III. Judicial Guarantee for Human Rights
 I. People's Rights to Subsistence and Development
 Foreword
 Foreword
 Foreword
 II. Civil and Political Rights
 Foreword
 Concluding Remarks
 Foreword
 .Concluding Remarks
 Foreword
 Foreword
 Conclusion
 Foreword
 Preface
 Foreword
 Foreword
 Preface
 IV. Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
 II. Civil and Political Rights
 Foreword
 Foreword
 Conclusion
 Foreword
 Foreword
 Foreword
 VI. Equal Rights and Special Protection for Ethnic Minorities
 III. Judicial Guarantee for Human Rights
 Foreword
 Preface
 Foreword
 Conclusion
 Foreword
 V. Equal Rights and Special Protection for Ethnic Minorities
 Foreword
 Conclusion
 Preface
 Foreword
 Conclusion
 Foreword
 Foreword
 Conclusion
 Foreword
 Foreword
 Conclusion
 Foreword
 Conclusion
 Preface
 Conclusion
 Conclusion
 Foreword
 Foreword
 Preface
 Preface
 Foreword
 X. Active Participation in International Human Rights Activities
 IX. Guarantee of Human Rights For the Disabled
 VIII. Family Planning and Protection Of Human Rights
 VII. Guarantee of the Rights of The Minority Nationality
 VI. Citizens Enjoy Freedom Of Religious Belief
 V. Guarantee of the Right to Work
 IV. Guarantee of Human Rights In China's Judicial Work
 III. Citizens Enjoy Economic, Cultural and Social Rights
 II. The Chinese People Have Gained Extensive Political Rights
 I. The Right to Subsistence--The Foremost Human Right The Chinese People Long Fight for
 VIII. Employment, Resettlement, Education and Protection for Convicts Who Have Served Their Term and Been Released
 VII. Carrying out the Punishment of Criminals
 VI. Humane Handling of Prisoners in Accordance with the Law
 V. Changing Criminals through Methods of Persuasion
 IV. Legal, Moral, Cultural and Technical Education of Criminals
 III. Reform of Criminals through Labour
 II. Guaranteeing the Rights of Criminals
 I. China's Basic Principles of Criminal Reform
 Part Two XII. Special State Aid for Tibet's Development
 Part Two XI. Protection of Living Environment
 Part Two X. People's Health and Demographic Growth
 Part Two IX. Development of Education and Culture
 Part Two VIII. Freedom of Religious Belief
 Part Two VII. Economic Development and Improvement of Living Standards
 Part Two VI. The People Enjoy Political Rights
 Part Two V. The People Gain Personal Freedom
 Part Two IV. Feudal Serfdom in Old Tibet
 Part One III. The Dalai Clique's Separatist Activities and the Central Government's Policy
 Part One II. Origins of So-Called 'Tibetan Independence'
 Part One I. Ownership of Tibet
 V. Several Questions Involving Taiwan in International Relations
 IV. Relations Across Taiwan Straits: Evolution and Stumbling Blocks
 III. The Chinese Government's Basic Position Regarding Settlement of the Taiwan Question
 II. Origin of the Taiwan Question
 I. Taiwan -- An Inalienable Part of China
 Chapter VIII Active Participation in International Women's Activities
 Chapter VII Organizational Guarantees of the Rights and Interests of Chinese Women
 Chapter VI Equal Status in Marriage and Family Life
 Chapter V Full Advance in Society
 Chapter IV Extensive Participation in Administration Of State and Social Affairs
 Chapter III Equal Rights and Important Role In Economic Sphere
 Chapter II Equal Legal Status
 Chapter I Historic Liberation of Chinese Women
 III. China Has a Complete Law Enforcement System for Intellectual Property Protection
 II. China Has a High-Grade Legal System for Intellectual Property Protection
 I. China's Basic Position Regarding the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
 VII. The Correct Choice for Human Rights Protection
 VI. Optimization Through Reform and Development
 V. Satisfying the Reproductive Health Needs of People of Child-bearing Age
 IV. Bringing the People to a Common Level of Understanding
 III. Combination of State Guidance with Voluntary Participation by the Masses
 II. A Social Undertaking That Benefits the People
 I. A Strategic Policy That Suits National Conditions
 X. Working Hard to Promote the Healthy Development of International Huma Rights Activities
 IX. Developing the Study of Human Rights and Popularizing the Knowledge of Human Rights
 VIII. Guarantee of the Rights and Interests of the Disabled
 VII. Guarantee of Rights and Interests of Ethnic Minorities
 VI. Protecting the Legitimate Rights and Interests of Women and Children
 V. The Right of Citizens to Education
 IV. The Right to Work of Citizens and the Rights and Interests of Worker.
 III. Judicial Work in Safeguarding Human Rights
 I. People's Right to Existence and Development
 V. China's Welfare Homes for Children
 IV. Protection of Disabled Children
 III. Education for Children
 II. Children's Health and Care
 I. Guarantee of Children's Rights and Interests
 VII. Taking Vigorous Action to Promote International Cooperation in Environmental Protection
 VI. Environmental Science and Technology, and Environmental Publicity and Education
 V. Protection of the Ecological Environment and Biodiversity
 IV. Territorial Control and Rural Environmental Protection
 III. The Prevention and Control of Industrial Pollution and the Comprehensive Improvement of the Urban Environment
 II. Improving the Legal and Administrative Systems Step by Step
 I. The Choice of Implementing a Sustainable Development Strategy
 VII. Deepening Structural Reform and Creating a Favorable Policy Environment for Grain Production and Circulation
 VI. Comprehensively Developing, Utilizing and Protecting Land Resources for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture
 V. Developing Agriculture by Relying on Science, Technology and Education and Changing the Grain Increase Method
 IV. Striving to Improve Production Conditions to Increase the Comprehensive Grain Production Ability
 III. China Can Basically Achieve Self-Sufficiency in Grain Through Self-Reliance
 II. Prospects for China's Consumption Demand for Grain
 I. New China Has Solved the Problem of Feeding Its People
 The Grain Issue in China
 VII. Guarantee of the Rights of Ethnic Minorities
 VI. Legitimate Rights and Interests of Women and Children
 V. Citizens' Rights to Receive Education
 IV. Protection of Workers' Rights
 II. Citizens' Democratic Rights
 V. Protection of the Right to Freedom of Religious Belief for Ethnic Minorities
 IV. Support for Independence and Initiative in Management of Religious Affairs
 III. Judicial and Administrative Guarantees and Supervision of the Freedom of Religious Belief
 II. Legal Protection of the Freedom of Religious Belief
 I. The Present Conditions of Religion in China
 Concluding Remarks
 IV. The Right to Freedom of Religious Belief
 III. The People Enjoy the Rights to Education,Culture and Health Protection
 II. Economic Development and the People's Rights to Existence and Development
 I. Ethnic Regional Autonomy System and the People's Political Rights
 VII. Foreign Exchange and Co - operation in the Field of Human Rights
 VI. Protection of the Rights of Ethnic Groups
 V. Legitimate Rights and Interests of Women and Children
 IV. Citizens' Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
 II. Guarantee of Citizens' Political Rights
 I.People's Rights to Subsistence and development
 Notes:
 V. Preservation and Development of the Cultures of Ethnic Minorities
 IV. Promoting the Common Development of All Ethnic Groups
 III. Regional Autonomy for Ethnic Minorities
 II. Adherence to Equality and Unity Among Ethnic Groups
 I. A United Multi-Ethnic Country
 VI. The Cross-Century Development Prospects for Human Rights in China
 IV. Protection of the Rights of Women and Children
 III. Civil Rights and Political Rights of Citizens Effectively Safeguarded
 II. Great Improvement in the Rights to Subsistence and Development, and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
 I. A Historic Turning Point in the Progress of Human Rights in China
 VII. The News and Publishing, Broadcasting, Film and Television Industries Are Developing Rapidly
 VI. Popular Education Makes a Historic Leap
 V. Tibetan Studies Are Flourishing, and Tibetan Medicine and Pharmacology Have Taken On a New Lease of Life
 IV. Culture and Art Are Being Inherited and Developed in an All-Round Way
 III.Folk Customs and Freedom of Religious Belief Are Respected and Protected
 II.Cultural Relics and Ancient Books and Records Are Well Preserved and Utilized
 I.The Spoken and Written Tibetan Language Is Widely Studied and Used, and Being Developed
 Note
 VII. Developing International Cooperation in Drug Control
 VI. Raising the Consciousness of the Entire People Against Drugs
 V. Treatment and Rehabilitation
 IV. Exercising Strict Control over the Precursor Chemicals
 III. Cracking Down on Drug-related Crimes
 II. Constantly Strengthening Drug Control Legislation
 I.Sticking to the Position of Strict Drug Control
 IV. Guarantee Measures
 III. Plan of Action
 II. Targets and Principles
 I Current Situation and Prospect
 VII. Actively Carrying Out International Exchanges and Cooperation in the Realm of Human Rights
 V. Protection of Women and Children's Rights
 IV. The Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of Citizens
 II. The Guarantee of Citizens' Political Rights
 I. The Improvement of the People's Rights to Subsistence and Development
 V.The Aid-the-Rural-Poor Program in the Early Period of the 21st Century
 IV.The Aid-the-Poor Program for the Special Groups Among the Impoverished
 III.Major Contents and Channels of the Aid-the-Poor Program
 II.Policy Guarantee for the Aid-the-Poor Program
 I.The Course and Achievements of the Aid-the-Poor Program
 III. The Historical Inevitability of Tibet's Modernization
 II. Tibet's Modernization Achievements
 I. The Rapid Social Development in Tibet
 IV. Development in the Early Period of the 21st Century
 III. The Establishment of a Social Security System
 II. Formation of New Labor Relations
 I.Overall Stability in Employment Situation
 V. The Strategic Choice for Sustainable Development
 IV. Building an Ecology-Friendly Railway Line -- the Qinghai-Tibet Railway
 III. Ecological Improvement and Environmental Protection amid Economic Development
 II. Ecological Improvement and Biodiversity Protection
 I. Progress of the Ecological Improvement and Environmental Protection Work in Tibet
 III. Human Rights in Name, Hegemonism In Reality
 II. Confusing Right and Wrong and Calling Protection An "Abuse" of Human Rights
 I. Distorting Facts to Deceive the World Public Opinion
 VI. Improving the Management of Mineral Resources
 V. Achieving the Coordinated Development of Mineral Resources Exploitation and Environmental Protection
 IV. Widening the Opening of, and Cooperation in, Mineral Resources Exploration and Exploitation
 III. Increasing the Domestic Capability of Mineral Resources Supply
 II. Targets and Principles for Mineral Resources Protection and Rational Utilization
 I. The Present Situation of Mineral Resources and Exploration and Exploitation of the Resources
 VIII. International Exchanges and Cooperation in Human Rights
 VII. The Rights and Interests of the Disabled
 VI. Equal Rights and Special Protection for Ethnic Minorities
 V. The Rights and Interests of Women and Children
 III.Judicial Guarantee for Human Rights
 I. The People's Rights to Subsistence and Development
 VI. Employment Prospects for the Early Part of the 21st Century
 V. Employment of Women, Youth and Disabled People
 IV. Employment of Rural Workforce
 III. Improving the Quality of the Workforce
 II. Proactive Employment Policy
 I. Basic Employment Situation
 V. Regional Ethnic Autonomy Is the Fundamental Guarantee for Tibetan People As Masters of Their Own Affairs
 IV. The Tibetan People Have the Freedom to Inherit and Develop Their Traditional Culture and to Practice Their Religious Belief
 III. The Tibetan People Have Full Decision-making Power in Economic and Social Development
 II. The Tibetan People Enjoy Full Political Right of Autonomy
 I. The Establishment and Development of Regional Ethnic Autonomy in Tibet
 X. Social Security in Rural Areas
 IX. Housing Security
 VIII. Social Relief
 VII. Special Care and Placement
 VI. Social Welfare
 V. Maternity Insurance
 IV. Insurance for Work-related Injuries
 III. Medical Insurance
 II. Unemployment Insurance
 I. Old-age Insurance
 X. Arms Control, Disarmament and Non- Proliferation
 IX. International Security Cooperation
 VIII.The Armed Forces and the People
 VII. Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense
 VI. National Defense Mobilization and Reserve Force Building
 V. The Military Service System
 IV. Defense Expenditure and Defense Assets
 III. Revolution in Military Affairs with Chinese Characteristics
 II. National Defense Policy
 I. The Security Situation
 V. Historical Development of Various Undertakings in Ethnic Autonomous Areas
 IV. The Central Government's Support and Assistance for Ethnic Autonomous Areas
 III. The Right of Self-Government of Ethnic Autonomous Areas
 II. The Political Status of Regional Autonomy for Ethnic Minorities and the Establishment of Ethnic Autonomous Areas
 I. A Unified Multi-Ethnic State, and Regional Autonomy for Ethnic Minorities
 VII. International Exchanges and Cooperation in the Field of Human Rights
 VI. The Rights and Interests of the Disabled
 V. Equal Rights and Special Protection for Ethnic Minorities
 IV. Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
 III. Judicial Guarantee for Human Rights
 II. Civil and Political Rights
 I. People's Rights to Subsistence and Development
 IX. Judicial Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
 VIII. Public Security Organs Act on Criminal Infringement on Intellectual Property Rights
 VII. Customs Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
 VI. Protection of New Varieties of Agricultural and Forestry Plants
 V. Intellectual Property Rights Protection for Audio and Video Products
 IV. Copyright Protection
 III. Trademark Protection
 II. Patent Protection
 I. Basic Situation of the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
 IX. Legal Guarantees of Women's Rights and Interests
 VIII. Women and the Environment
 VII. Women, Marriage and the Family
 VI. Women and Health
 V. Women and Education
 IV. Women's Participation in Decision Making and Management
 III. Women and Poverty Elimination
 II. Women and the Economy
 I. State Mechanism to Promote Gender Equality and Development of Women
 Annex III: Agreements on Disarmament and Confidence-Building Measures Between China and Relevant Countries
 Annex II: Laws and Regulations of China on Non-Proliferation Export Control
 Annex I: List of Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Treaties That China Has Joined
 VI. Tightening Non-Proliferation Export Control
 V. Actively Participating in International Non-Proliferation Efforts
 IV. Committed to National and Regional Disarmament
 III. Participating in and Promoting International Arms Control and Disarmament Process
 II. China's Basic Policy and Position
 I. International Security and Arms Control Situation
 X. Judicial Democracy
 IX. Government Democracy
 VIII. The Democratic Rule by the Communist Party of China
 VII. Respecting and Safeguarding Human Rights
 VI. Grassroots Democracy in Urban and Rural Areas
 V. The System of Ethnic Regional Autonomy
 IV. The System of Multi-Party Cooperation and Political Consultation Under the Leadership of the CPC
 III. The People's Congress System
 II. The CPC Led the People to Become Masters of the State
 I. A Choice Suited to China's Conditions
 V. Building a Harmonious World of Sustained Peace and Common Prosperity
 IV. Seeking Mutual Benefit and Common Development with Other Countries
 III. Developing by Relying on Its Own Strength, Reform and Innovation
 II. Promoting World Peace and Development with China's Own Growth
 I. Peaceful Development Is the Inevitable Way for China's Modernization
 X. International Cooperation in Environmental Protection
 IX. Environmental Science and Technology, Industry and Public Participation
 VIII. Environmental Impact Assessment
 VII. Economic Policy and Investment Concerning the Environment
 VI. Ecological Protection and Construction
 V. Protection of the Rural Environment
 IV. Protection of the Urban Environment
 III. Pollution Control in Key Regions
 II. Prevention and Control of Industrial Pollution
 I. Environmental Protection Legislation and System
 VII. Safeguarding Elderly People's Legitimate Rights and Interests
 VI. Participation in Social Development
 V. Cultural Education for the Aged
 IV. Social Services for an Ageing Society
 III. Health and Medical Care for the Aged
 II. Old-age Security System
 I. State Mechanism of Undertakings for the Aged
 Foreword
 X. State Support for the Development of Xinjiang
 IX. Establishment, Development and Role of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps
 VIII. Upholding Equality and Unity Among Ethnic Groups, and Freedom of Religious Belief
 VII. The People's Living Standard and Quality of Life Have Been Enhanced
 VI. Progress in Education, Science and Technology, Culture and Health Work
 V. The Economic Development of Xinjiang After the Founding of New China
 IV. Origin of the "East Turkistan" Issue
 III. The Administration of Xinjiang by the Successive Central Governments
 II. Diverse Religions Coexist and Spread in Xinjiang
 I. Xinjiang Has Been a Multi-ethnic Region Since Ancient Times
 Conclusion
 V. International Exchanges and Cooperation Regarding Food Safety
 IV. Law Regime and Technological Guarantee System for Food Safety
 III. Supervision of Imported and Exported Food
 II. Food Safety Regulatory System and Work
 I. Food Production and Food Quality
 Preface

 
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V. International Security Cooperation
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Military Exchanges

China handles its military relations independently, and conducts military exchanges and cooperation with other countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Military diplomacy should serve the state's overall diplomacy and the modernization of national defense and the armed forces. In pursuance of this purpose the PLA has actively engaged in external contacts and exchanges in a flexible and practical manner, and made sustained efforts for enhanced mutual trust, friendship and cooperation with armed forces of other countries, and for regional and world peace, stability and development.

Over the past two years, China has sent more than 70 high-level military delegations to over 60 countries, and hosted some 160 high-level foreign military delegations. In addition, the Chinese military has conducted friendly and mutually beneficial exchanges and cooperation with its foreign counterparts in the technical and other specialized fields. In this regard it has dispatched more than 150 technical or other specialized delegations abroad, while over 180 foreign military delegations of the similar nature have visited China.

China has improved its military relations with its neighbouring countries. With active high-level military contacts, the bilateral military relations between China and Russia have developed smoothly. Chinese armed forces have made great efforts to promote ties with the armed forces of Northeast Asian countries, and made positive contributions to the stability of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia as a whole. China's military contacts with countries in Southeast, South and Central Asia have maintained their momentum. At the same time, China has further strengthened its military relations with countries in West Asia, Africa, Latin America and Oceania, as well as those in Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Chinese armed forces have continued to provide assistance to their counterparts in developing countries in personnel training, equipment, logistical materials, and medical care, and will seek to widen the scope of contacts in the future.

In May 1999, China postponed its high-level military exchange programs with the United States in response to the serious incident of bombing of the Chinese Embassy in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia by the US-led NATO. Following the gradual improvement of the relations between the two countries, normal military contacts between China and the US have resumed. The defense ministries of the two countries held defense consultations at the vice-ministerial level in January 2000. The US defense secretary visited China in July of the same year. China has always attached importance to the development of military relations with European countries, and has exchanged or maintained high-level visits and conducted military exchanges with them at various levels.

The past two years have seen good-will visits by Chinese naval vessels to New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Tanzania and South Africa, and visits to China by naval vessels from France, Russia, Australia, Malaysia, Belgium, Canada and Turkey. In addition, China has sent many delegations or groups of military experts to other countries for visits, training, study or research, and hosted many similar foreign delegations or groups. These exchanges of visits have covered many fields, ranging from military education, training and management to scientific research, academic study, culture and sports, and medical care. In August 1999, the PLA participated in the Second World Military Games held in Croatia.

New progress has been made in cooperation between the PLA and foreign armed forces in military education and training. In the past two years, more than 200 Chinese military personnel have been sent to study in Russia, Germany, France, Britain, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand and Kuwait, while nearly 1,000 military personnel from Africa, Latin America and Europe and other Asian countries have come to study in China.

Regional Security Cooperation

China supports regional security dialogue and cooperation at different levels, through various channels, in different forms and in a step-by-step manner pursuant to the principles of participation on an equal footing and reaching consensus through consultation in the spirit of seeking common ground while reserving differences. China main-tains that the multilateral security dialogue and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region should be oriented toward and characterised by mutual respect instead of the strong bullying the weak, cooperation instead of confrontation, and seeking consensus instead of imposing one's own will on others. China has participated in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Council on Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region (CSCAP), Northeast Asia Cooperation Dialogue (NEACD), Academic Symposium of China, the United States and Japan, and other activities for multilateral security dialogue and cooperation. China stands for enhancing mutual understanding and trust between countries and promoting regional peace and stability through these important governmental and non-governmental channels of discussions on security issues.

The ARF is the only pan-Asia-Pacific official multilateral security dialogue and cooperation forum at present. Representatives of the Chinese ministries of foreign affairs and national defense have attended all the ARF foreign ministers and senior officials' meetings. They have also attended official or unofficial meetings on confidence-building measures, peace-keeping, maritime search and rescue, emergency rescue and disaster relief, preventive diplomacy, non-proliferation, and guiding principles within the framework of the ARF. In the past two years, China has hosted, successively in Beijing, the ARF Seminar on Tropical Hygiene and Prevention and Treatment of Tropical Infectious Diseases, the ARF Professional Training Program on China's Security Policy, the 4th ARF Meeting of Heads of Defense Colleges, and the ARF Seminar on Defense Conversion Cooperation.

China holds that the ARF should continue to focus on confidence-building measures, explore new security concepts and methods, and discuss the question of preventive diplomacy. At the same time, it believes that the parties concerned should have a full discussion first on the concept, definition, principles and scope of preventive diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific region and reach consensus in this regard. China has actively advocated the development of multilateral cooperation in military medicine, military law and the conversion of military technologies and facilities for civilian use within the framework of the ARF. It has proposed to establish an ARF marine information and data center, encouraged exchange of high-level military visits and port calls by naval vessels, as well as exchanges of military personnel, and supported cooperation in emergency rescue and disaster relief, safety in maritime navigation and marine environmental protection.

China has been an active participant in the process of the CICA initiated by Kazakhstan, believing the purpose of the CICA as generally consistent with its security goals in Asia. It is of the view that the CICA should develop step by step with full consideration given to the regional peculiarities and diversities in Asia.

In 1996, China formally joined the CSCAP, and in 1997 established the CSCAP China Committee. And it has actively participated in the CSCAP activities.

Since the establishment of the NEACD in 1993, China has attended all its meetings, and in 1996 and 1999, hosted the fourth and ninth NEACD meetings in Beijing. China has also worked with other member states and succeeded in getting the NEACD to reach agreement on the guiding principles for cooperation between Northeast Asian countries.

China has established, with Russia, the United States, France, Germany, Ukraine, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and some neighbouring countries and regional organizations, mechanisms for regular or irregular consultations on the issues of security, defense and arms control. Desirous of maintaining lasting peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, officials and scholars from China's Ministry of National Defense and other departments concerned have involved themselves more extensively and deeply in symposiums and other activities on Asia-Pacific security. This has promoted mutual understanding and trust between China and the countries concerned.


Confidence-Building Measures

The Chinese government has always attached importance to confidence-building measures with neighbouring countries and has worked hard for their adoption. It has energetically advocated the conclusion of border treaties or agreements through talks between the parties concerned on an equal footing in accordance with the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and refraining from directing at any third party and threatening or harming other countries' security and stability, so as to safeguard equal security for all the parties concerned, and regional peace and stability.

In April 1996, the heads of state of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan met in Shanghai for the first time and signed the Agreement on Confidence-Building in the Military Field Along the Border Areas. In April 1997, the heads of state of the five countries met again in Moscow and signed the Agreement on Mutual Reduction of Military Forces in the Border Areas. The agreement stipulates that each country should reduce its military forces deployed in the border areas to such a minimum level as to be compatible with the good-neighborly relations it enjoys with the other four countries in accordance with the principle of equal security. It reiterates that none of the contracting parties should use or threaten to use force against the others, nor should any of them seek military superiority unilaterally; that the military forces of one party deployed in the border areas shall not engage in any military activity to threaten any other party or prejudice the peace and stability of the border areas; and that the number of military personnel and the quantity of the main categories of weaponry and military technical equipment in the geographical areas as defined in the agreement should be reduced or restricted. In July 1998 and August 1999, respectively, the heads of state of the five countries met for the third and fourth times in Alma-Ata in Kazakhstan and Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, where they signed joint state-ments. In July 2000, the heads of state of the five countries met for the fifth time in Dushanbe of Tajikistan. The President of Uzbekistan attended the meeting as an observer. The Dushanbe Statement signed after the meeting points out that the five countries are playing an increasingly important and positive role in safeguarding regional security and stability and are committed to making the "Shanghai Five" a regional mechanism for their multilateral cooperation in all fields. The five countries have decided to deepen cooperation in the political, diplomatic, economic and trade, military, military technology and other fields to consolidate regional security and stability, and to effectively implement all the clauses of the agreements they have signed concerning confidence-building in the military field and the mutual reduction of military forces along the border areas. They have made it clear that they will never allow any country to use their territory to conduct any activities detrimental to the sovereignty, security and public order of any of the five countries, and that they will support each other's efforts in safeguarding their national independence, state sovereignty, territorial integrity and social stability.

In March 2000, the defense ministers of the five countries met in Astara of Kazakhstan for the first time. The joint communiqué signed after the meeting reiterates the determination of the five countries to develop their military and political relations and conduct friendly cooperation based on equality and mutual trust with due consideration to the interests of all the parties and their neighboring areas. It points out that such cooperation is not exclusive, nor is it directed at any third country or bloc of countries. The five countries stressed their firm opposition to interference in other countries' internal affairs on the excuse of protecting ethnic or religious interests, or human rights. They declared that they would never tolerate national separatism, religious extremism or terrorism, and that they would resolutely oppose any activity by such forces on their respective territory against other countries. They pledged to jointly take effective measures to crack down on such activities so as to safeguard regional peace and stability. The five agreed that they would further study the possibility of strengthening confidence-building measures in the military field, promote cooperation between frontier departments, and jointly combat transnational crimes, stage joint exercises in preventing dangerous military activities, combating international terrorists and carrying out emergency rescue and disaster relief, share peace-keeping experiences and coordinate with each other in their peace-keeping operations.

In August 1995, China's Ministry of National Defense and the Frontier Defense General Administration of the Federation of Russia signed the Sino-Russian Agreement on Frontier Defense Cooperation. Under the Agreement, the two sides shall cooperate with each other in frontier defense and make every effort to turn the boundary between China and Russia into one of peace, tranquility and friendship; exchange information in the interest of frontier defense cooperation; coordinate their measures to effectively guard their boundary and maintain order there; prevent accidental incidents or conflicts in the border areas; coordinate with each other in taking measures against illegal activities in the border areas; assist in the search for, detention and timely transfer of people crossing boundaries illegally, together with their transportation means and belongings; exchange experiences on organizing and implementing the defense of their national boundaries; and help each other with technical equipment for the defense of their national boundaries.

In November 1999, China's Ministry of National Defense and the Frontier Guards Administrative Bureau of Mongolia signed the Sino-Mongolian Agreement on Cooperation in Frontier Defense. The Agreement stipulates that the two sides shall promote cooperation in frontier defense and make efforts to keep peace and stability on the boundary between China and Mongolia; exchange information in the interest of maintaining normal order in the border areas and other related information; discuss measures and share experiences in guarding and managing the border and maintaining normal order there; prevent accidental incidents or disputes in the border areas; crack down on illegal activities across the border, such as smuggling of weapons, trafficking in narcotics and other contrabands, robbery and theft; strengthen cooperation between boundary representative bodies of the two countries in handling border incidents through consultation, and assist each other in the search for and timely transfer of the people crossing boundaries illegally, together with their transportation means, livestock and other belongings; and inform each other of any possible natural disasters or epidemic diseases which may cause losses to the other and measures to be adopted to prevent them from crossing the boundary.

The relevant government departments and frontier forces of China have faithfully implemented the stipulations of the treaties and agreements, and actively promoted exchanges and cooperation with their counterparts of neighboring countries. They have dealt with boundary affairs in a timely manner and cracked down on illegal activities in the border areas together with their counterparts through communication and consultation mechanism, and frontier talks and meetings. With the gradual establishment and implementation of confidence-building measures, there has been a visible decrease in the number of boundary disputes and incidents, a normal order in the border areas has been effectively maintained, and a peaceful and friendly atmosphere has gradually prevailed along the boundary.


Participation in UN Peace-Keeping Operations

According to the UN Charter, the UN Security Council is conferred primary responsibility for the maintenance of world peace and security. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has been committed to the maintenance of international peace and security. It attaches great importance to the United Nations and supports it in playing its due role in maintaining international peace and security under the guidance of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

In order to guarantee their success and sound development, UN peace-keeping operations must strictly adhere to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, especially the principles of respect for state sovereignty and non-interference in other countries' internal affairs. No UN peace-keeping operations should be launched without the prior consent of the countries concerned. All UN peace-keeping forces should strictly observe neutrality and non-use of force except for self-defense. Peaceful means, rather than coercive measures, should be sought to settle disputes, such as mediation, good offices and negotiation. Double standards and military interference under the name of the UN should be rejected. Any decision on launching UN peace-keeping operations must be based on practicability and capabilities, and no peace-keeping operation should be launched when conditions are not ripe. Peace-keeping forces should not become a party to a conflict, which would be a deviation from the basic purpose of peace-keeping operations.

Adhering to the above principles, China has participated actively in UN peace-keeping activities. So far China has sent 522 military observers, liaison officers or advisers and 800 men in two batches from engineering units to the UN peace-keeping operations, including the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM), United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC), United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ), United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL), United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL) and United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL).

At the moment, 38 Chinese military observers are still serving with UNTSO, UNIKOM, MINURSO and UNAMSIL. In January 2000, at the request of the United Nations, the Chinese government dispatched 15 civilian policemen to the United Nations Transitional Authority in East Timor, the first time for China to send civilian policemen to UN peace-keeping operations. In addition, the Chinese government has continued to take part in the UN's stand-by arrangements.

Meanwhile, four Chinese have laid down their lives, and dozens have been wounded in UN peace-keeping operations in order to support the United Nations in fulfilling the mission entrusted to it by the UN Charter.

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