Chinese, U.S. presidents meet on relations, nuclear issues

Source: Xinhuanet | 11-20-2006 09:03

HANOI, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and U.S. President George W. Bush agreed here Sunday to further promote Sino-U.S. relations and exchanged views on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and the Iranian nuclear issue.

The two presidents held talks on the sidelines of the two-day 14th Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum which began on Saturday.

Sino-US relations

Hu said China and the United States, as stakeholders and constructive cooperation partners, should strengthen dialogue, mutual trust and cooperation on major issues concerning the whole world and the common interests of mankind, and properly settle their disputes, so as to push forward bilateral constructive and cooperative relations.

Hu said both sides should, from a strategic and long-term perspective, adhere to the correct path of developing bilateral ties and promote bilateral constructive cooperation in an all-round way.

He said the Taiwan question should be properly handled as Bush and the U.S. government have repeatedly reiterated that they stick to the one-China policy, abide by the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques and oppose "Taiwan independence."

Hu expressed the hope that the U.S. side would honor its commitment and not send wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces, so as to safeguard Sino-U.S. strategic interests.

Hu said the two sides should also strengthen cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region so as to jointly safeguard and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

The two countries should enhance economic and trade cooperation of mutual benefit, as well as exchanges and cooperation in wide-ranging fields such as anti-terrorism, non-proliferation, defense, energy, aerospace, science, technology, education, culture, health and youth, Hu noted.

Agreeing with Hu on strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields, Bush said the U.S. side is ready to conduct various strategic dialogues and exchanges at various levels with China.

He said the U.S. side understands the sensitivity of the Taiwan question and its possible impact on the U.S.-China relations, and that the U.S. policy on this question remains unchanged.

Bush said bilateral economic and trade cooperation is dynamic, and that the U.S. side welcomes China's development and does not worry about competition brought about by China's development.

He said both sides would settle their economic and trade disputes on the basis of mutual respect.

During the meeting, Hu also voiced his pleasure at the steady and sound growth of bilateral relations.

Bush said Sino-U.S. relations, an important component of U.S. foreign policy, have developed well and the U.S. side will make due efforts to maintain good relations with China.

He said strengthening bilateral cooperation is conducive to world peace and prosperity, as well as the settlement of major international and regional issues.

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