China and France on January 27 agreed to further promote the development bilateral relations and work together in strengthening a multilateral system for collective security.

    As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, both countries resume a particular responsibility for maintaining international peace and security and searching for effective countermeasures against various threats, said a joint declaration signed on January 27 by visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao and his French counterpart, Jacques Chirac.

    The two countries believe deepening bilateral cooperation on major international issues is conducive to establishing a safer and more stable international environment.

    Faced with the drastically changing international situation, China and France will continue consolidating, developing and enriching the comprehensive strategic partnership established since 1997, the joint declaration said.

    The two countries agreed to make joint efforts to strengthen the multilateral system and safeguard collective security, the joint declaration said.

    China and France reiterated their advocacy of multilateralism, considering it an appropriate approach to deal with global and regional threats and challenges and an effective way to prevent and solve crises.

    The two countries also vowed to cooperate within the United Nations Security Council and the General Assembly to boost furtherrespect for the tenets and principles enshrined in the UN Charter.

    The two countries agreed to exchange experience in deploying and managing peacekeeping missions and deepen cooperation in UN peacekeeping operations.

    China and France resolutely oppose the proliferation of weaponsof mass destruction and their carriers, the joint declaration said.

    The two countries attach great importance to compliance with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and are determined to work for the entry into effect of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

    The joint declaration also said the two sides reiterated the importance of preventing an arms race in the outer space.

    China and France condemn all forms of terrorism and urge the international community to strengthen cooperation and coordinationin countering the threats of terrorism to international security.

    The two countries pledged cooperation in judicature, finance, policing and domestic security in fighting all forms of terrorism.