China, U.S. sign joint statement, to enhance security in outer space

BEIJING, Nov. 17 (Xinhua)-- According to the China-US Joint Statement issued here Tuesday, China and the United States recognize common interests in promoting the peaceful use of outer space and agree to enhance security in outer space.

The statement said the two sides believed that China-US cooperation on common global challenges would contribute to a more prosperous and secure world.

"China and the U.S. agree to discuss issues of strategic importance through such channels as the China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogues and the military-to-military exchanges," said the statement.

It said both leaders reaffirmed their commitment made on June 27, 1998 not to target at each other the strategic nuclear weapons under their respective control.

The two sides agreed to handle, through existing channels of consultations and dialogues, military security and maritime issues in keeping with norms of international law and on the basis of respecting each other's jurisdiction and interests, said the statement.

The statement was signed during President Obama' s first official visit to China between November 15 and 18.