Chinese President Jiang Zemin held talks with US President George
W. Bush in Shanghai Friday morning, saying that China attaches
great importance to the Sino-US relationship.
This was the first meeting between the two leaders.
The presidents had an in-depth exchange of views on Sino-US
relations, anti-terrorism, maintenance of world peace and stability
and other major issues.
The talks were constructive and fruitful.
Jiang said that China attaches great importance to the Sino-US
relationship and has always hold that China and the US develop a
constructive, cooperative relationship.
To
this end, Jiang said that a high-level strategic dialogue mechanism
may be established between the two sides, through which the two
leaders, directly or via envoys, exchange views on major issues of
common concern, and communicate timely.
Jiang said that the Taiwan issue has always been the most sensitive
issue in the Sino-US relations.
China's basic approach to resolving the issue has from time to time
been "peaceful reunification" and "One country, Two systems", Jiang
said.
"We hope that the United States adheres to the one-China principle
and abides by the three Sino-US joint communiques," said Jiang.
On
the anti-terrorism issue, Jiang said China is always opposed to all
forms of terrorism and always supports the fight against
terrorism.
The more accurate the strike against terrorists, the more effective
the strike, said Jiang, adding that the fight against terrorism
should avoid harming innocent people.
He
said that a medium- and long-term mechanism for anti-terrorism
cooperation may be established between China and the United
States.
"We live in a world of diversity and different views may exist
between China and the United States. But it's necessary for the two
countries to pursue long-term co-existence," Jiang said.
The two countries should seek common grounds while putting aside
differences, and keep on expanding their common aspects, Jiang
said, adding that history has proved that only in this way the
Sino-US relations will achieve development.
Jiang said China has registered great progress since its reform and
opening up in the late 1970s, and Shanghai is a vivid epitome of
China's development.
China attaches great importance to trade and economic cooperation
with the United States, and its recent purchase of 30 Boeing
airplanes demonstrates the broad prospect for Sino-US trade and
economic cooperation, said Jiang. Bush said that he has been
expecting the visit so that he can have face-to-face talks with
President Jiang.
The United States attaches great importance to the relationship
with China, Bush said.
China is a great country and is not an enemy of the United States,
Bush said, adding that he regards China as a friend of the United
States.
The United States has been working for developing constructive
relationship of cooperation with China, the US president said.
Bush said that he takes the opportunity of coming to China this
time to reaffirm that the US government pursues the one-China
policy and adheres to the three Sino-US joint communiques.
Bush said that he has been strongly supporting China's entry into
the World Trade Organization
(WTO).
Extending his congratulations on China's imminent entry into the
WTO, Bush said that China's accession to the WTO will be favorable
to both China and the United States.
He
also expressed congratulations on China's successful bidding of
hosting the 2008 Olympic Games.
Bush thanked China for its quick response to the terrorist attacks
in the United States on September 11 and its clear and firm support
of the US people in fighting terrorism as well as China's
cooperation in this regard.
Bush said that while differences may exist between the US and
China, the two countries will deal with the differences in the
spirit of mutual respect and frankness.
The two presidents also exchanged views on major international
issues of common concern during their meeting.
(
China Daily
10/19/2001)