Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (2nd L Front) and Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz (2nd R Front) sign a treaty on good neighborliness and friendly cooperation between China and Pakistan in Islamabad April 5, 2005. Wen arrived in the Pakistani capital on April 5 for a three-day visit. (Xinhua Photo)

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Pakistani counterpart Shaukat Aziz signed a treaty for friendship, cooperation and good-neighborly relations here Tuesday.

The treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Good-Neighborly Relations between the People's Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (hereinafter referred to as "the Contracting Parties") says the two parties firmly believe that to strengthen the overall good-neighborly friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between the Contracting Parties is not only in the fundamental interest of the two countries and the two peoples, butalso conducive to regional and global peace, stability and development.

It reaffirms that the Joint Declaration between the People's Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Directions of Bilateral Cooperation signed by the two heads of state in 2003 is of guiding significance to deepening the bilateral relationship.

It confirms the obligations of the Contracting Parties under the Charter of the United Nations and other international treatieswhich they have acceded to.

It says the Contracting Parties shall actively develop and consolidate the bilateral strategic partnership of good-neighborlyfriendship and mutually beneficial cooperation in accordance with the universally recognized principles and norms of international law and on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Both the Parties agree to maintain a regular high-level strategic dialogue.

It notes the Contracting Parties shall adhere to the principle of non-encroachment on national territories and boundaries in international law and strictly observe the boundary agreements between the two countries. They have resolved to maintain lasting peace and friendship for generations to come in the border areas between the two countries.

The Pakistani side reiterates that there is but one China in the world, the Government of the People's Republic of China is thesole legal government representing the whole China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.

The Pakistani side supports China's great cause of national reunification and all the efforts of the Chinese government in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Pakistani side opposes any attempt by the Taiwan authorities to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" or "Taiwan independence".

The Chinese side reiterates its respect for Pakistan's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Chinese side appreciates and supports Pakistan's efforts to settle peacefully all the problems with its neighboring countries and allefforts to safeguard its state sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

The treaty says each Contracting Party shall not join any alliance or bloc which infringes upon the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the other Contracting Party, nor shall it take any action of this nature including the conclusion of treaties of this nature with a third country.

Each Contracting Party shall not allow its territory to be usedby a third country to jeopardize the state sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the other Contracting Party.

It says each Contracting Party shall prohibit, on its own soil,the establishment of organizations or institutions which infringe upon the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the other Contracting Party.

It notes the Contracting Parties shall, in accordance with their domestic laws, such as extradition treaty, anti-drug agreement, and other bilateral agreements and their respective international obligations, cooperate on both bilateral and multilateral basis to crack down on terrorism, separatism and extremism, as well as such activities as organized crimes, illegalimmigration and illegal trafficking in drugs and weapons.

It notes the Contracting Parties shall enhance and consolidate trust and cooperation in the military and security fields to strengthen their security.

It confirms each Contracting Party shall take effective measures in accordance with their international obligations and current domestic laws and regulations to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the other Party's legal and natural persons in its own territory.

It says the Contracting Parties shall, on the basis of equalityand mutual benefit, carry out cooperation in economy, trade, agriculture, science, technology, space technology, transportation,finance, energy, peaceful uses of nuclear technology, natural resources development, investment, customs, information technology,telecommunications and other areas of mutual interest.

It says the Contracting Parties shall establish close collaboration in the field of higher education.

It says the Contracting Parties shall, in accordance with theirdomestic laws and the international instruments to which both Parties have acceded, protect intellectual property rights, including patent, trademark, copyright and other relevant rights.

It says the Contracting Parties shall facilitate cooperation inthe above-mentioned areas in accordance with their domestic laws and international instruments.

It confirms the Contracting Parties believe it is of major significance to an enhanced mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples to expand their exchanges in culture, education, media, sports, tourism, public health and social security. The Contracting Parties shall support all walks of life of both countries to actively carry out the above-mentioned exchanges.

It notes the Contracting Parties shall, on the basis of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and other universally recognized norms of international law, enhance their cooperation in the United Nations and other international and regional organizations.

It says the Contracting Parties shall continue their cooperation in international financial institutions and economic organizations.

It notes the Contracting Parties shall carry out multilateral economic cooperation within the framework of existing and future international and regional organizations.