Full text: China-UK Joint Declaration on Building a Global Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century

(chinadaily.com.cn) Updated: 2015-10-22 17:24

As the world's second biggest economy, China will sign numerous commercial deals spanning a range of sectors such as creative industries, retail, energy, health and technology, financial services, aerospace and education.[Photo/IC]

The UK fully supports China's deepening comprehensive strategic partnership with the EU in line with the China-EU 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation. Both sides support the early conclusion of an ambitious and comprehensive China-EU Investment Agreement, and call for the swift launch of joint feasibility study for a China-EU Free Trade Agreement to achieve the goals set out in the 17th China-EU Summit Joint Statement, which is, once the conditions are right, to build a deep and comprehensive FTA, as a longer term perspective.

As countries of global influence and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and the UK shoulder important responsibilities for the international system and global affairs. Both sides will work with other UN members to support regional and global stability. The two sides agree to strengthen cooperation on settling international and regional disputes peacefully in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.

China and the UK will increase multilateral cooperation to help resolve conflict through diplomatic and political means to achieve stability and therefore tackle the conditions that give rise to terrorism and extremism.

China and the UK support the G20's important role as the premier forum for international economic cooperation, working towards world economic growth and an international financial system of fairness, equity, inclusivity and coherence. The UK actively supports China in hosting the G20 Summit in 2016. They will strengthen cooperation on fiscal, tax, financial, trade, investment, development and corruption issues, including as co-chairs of the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group.

The UK supports the inclusion of the RMB into the SDR basket subject to meeting existing criteria in the IMF's upcoming SDR review. Both sides urge members who have yet to ratify the 2010 quota and governance reforms to do so without delay to further enhance the voice of emerging markets and developing countries.

China commends the UK for being the first major western country to become a prospective founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). They look forward to the AIIB's early operation and integration into the global financial system as a "lean, clean and green" institution that addresses Asia's infrastructure needs.

The two sides reaffirm their commitment to implementing the post-2015 development agenda and will continue to work together in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals including poverty reduction, and through a renewed China-UK Development Partnership.

China and the UK recognise the need to address the problem of climate change, one of the biggest threats to humanity, in the context of sustainable development through international cooperation. Both sides also recognise that the upcoming international climate conference in Paris represents a pivotal moment for the global effort to tackle climate change.

China and the UK, recognising the importance and urgency of combating illegal wildlife trade, commit to take active measures to tackle this global challenge.

The two sides agree to support each other in improving and upgrading their diplomatic premises in each other's countries.

Both sides reiterate that they are determined to support each other's prosperity and development and to work together for the benefit of global peace, security and development.