China and Kuwait issued a joint press communiqué in Beijing Wednesday, welcoming the transfer of sovereignty and founding of the interim government in Iraq, while stressing the United Nation's role and condemning terrorism activities there.

The communiqué was released amid Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's eight-day official visit to China as a guest of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

China condemns the former Iraqi regime's killing of Kuwaiti prisoners of war (POW), understands and supports Kuwait's legitimate claims on the unsolved problems caused by Iraq's occupation in Kuwait, involving the POWs and compensation, the communiqué said.

China and Kuwait hope to exert joint efforts to the construction and development in Iraq, welcoming and speaking highly of the UN Security Council Resolution 1546.  

The role of the United Nations should be enhanced in Iraq, which is still in the interim period, in a bid to help Iraqi people resume sovereignty and carry out their rights, the communiqué said.

China and Kuwait condemn the terrorism activities in Iraq targeting civilians, international organizations and foreign diplomats, it said, noting the two countries are against terrorism in any form and oppose the pegging terrorism to any particular country, ethnicity or religion.

The two sides expressed worry over the stagnating peace talks in the Middle East and the delayed implementation of the Road Map peace plan, appealing to concerned sides to turn back to the track of narrowing differences through negotiation.

Kuwait appreciates China's appointment of a special envoy on the Middle East issue and supports China's efforts in solving the problem, the communiqué said.

Kuwait reiterated that it will firmly adhere to the one-China policy, opposes any attempt to forge "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" and supports China's any efforts in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the communiqué said.

The two sides said international cooperation is needed to maintain peace, security and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Kuwait appreciates and supports China's efforts to solve the Korean nuclear issue within the six-party talks framework.

During the Kuwaiti PM's visit, China and Kuwait agreed to promote two-way investment and trade. They signed three agreements respectively on economic and technology cooperation, oil and natural gas and environmental protection.

The Kuwaiti side invited Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, to visit Kuwait, according to the communiqué. 

(Xinhua News Agency July 8, 2004)