China, Russia to promote humanistic, anti-terror cooperation

China and Russia vowed Friday in Moscow to strengthen cooperation in such humanistic spheres as culture, education, health, sports and the media.

In a joint communique signed by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov at the ninth regular meeting of the two countries' prime ministers, the two sides agreed that it is of great significance to promote cooperation in these fields.

The document listed six aspects that calls for special attention -- the speedy signing of intergovernmental agreements on support for the teaching of Russian and Chinese languages, the establishment of cultural centers, the expansion of cooperation in the prevention and control of communicable diseases, the strengthening of cooperation in sports, physical education and sports medicine, the early facilitation of Chinese tourist groups to Russia, and broader cooperation in media, film and archives.

According to the communique, the governments will encourage cooperation between medical establishments, especially those in neighboring regions. It also called for the establishment of a regime on licensing for traditional Chinese medicine practitioners to operate in Russia and on the registration of traditional Chinese medicine products there.

The two sides also agreed to further cooperate in fighting terrorism and cross-border crimes such as smuggling, trafficking in drugs and weapons, and illegal immigration.

In addition, the two sides stressed the significance of maintaining global strategic stability and of promoting multilateral cooperation in disarmament and arms control.

The two countries agreed to continue working on their joint initiative on the signing of international legal documents banning the deployment of weapons in outer space and the use, or threatened use, of force on targets there.

In the face of growing terrorist threats, the two sides condemned all kinds of terrorism and expressed willingness to make joint efforts against terror.

The two sides stressed that the United Nations should take a leading role in fighting global terrorism, and that operations should be carried out strictly in accordance with the aims and principles enshrined in the UN Charter and other generally recognized norms in international law.

The two sides pledged to cooperate under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism, and in combating illegal drug trafficking, and further developing the organization's Regional Counter-Terrorism Structure.