The policy of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" remains unchanged, however, the one-China principle is the prerequisite and basis for resuming cross-straits dialogue and negotiations.
As long as the Taiwan authorities recognize the one-China principle, cross-straits dialogue can be resumed, and everything can be discussed, said Chinese President Jiang Zemin in a meeting Monday with Bill Archer, member of the US House of Representatives and chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, at the seaside resort of Beidaihe, about 300 kilometers east of Beijing.
The US government has reiterated its adherence to the one-China policy and observance to the three Sino-US joint communiques and relevant commitments, he said, noting that China hopes that the US government will take practical actions to fulfill its commitments.
Calling Archer an old friend of the Chinese people, Jiang praised his efforts to advance Sino-US relations and push forward the settlement of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with China at an early date in the US House of Representatives.
He said that bilateral relations have witnessed vicissitude over the years, however, the main trend is one that is moving forward. He added that historic facts prove that the stable and smooth development of bilateral relations is not only beneficial to both countries, but is also conducive to peace, stability and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.
Maintaining a good bilateral relationship is the common aspiration of the people of the two countries, he said.
All the far-sighted statesmen should see clearly and go along with such a historical trend and approach bilateral relations from a strategic perspective, Jiang said, adding that the US Congress plays an important role in formulating domestic and foreign policies, and China is willing to increase contact with US congressmen and personnel of other areas to push forward Sino-US relations.
He said that the Sino-US agreement on China's entry to WTO, which was signed last November, provided new momentum for promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation. He added that the US government is committed to settling PNTR issue, and China hopes that such an issue will be completely solved at an early date, thus creating favorable conditions for expanding economic and trade cooperation as well as improving and developing bilateral relations as a whole.
Archer said that both countries should develop their relations from a long-term perspective, and he would like to make efforts to promote bilateral relations. He said he understood China's stance on the Taiwan issue, and the United States will continue to pursue the one-China policy.
Archer and his delegation, who are in China as guests of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress, will also travel to northwest China's Shaanxi province and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
(Xinhua)
