Source: China Daily

01-08-2009 15:44

From October 27 to November 3, 1997, Chinese President Jiang Zemin visited the United States at the invitation of President Clinton. This was the first visit to the United States by the Chinese head of state in 12 years and an important visit in the history of Sino-US relations.

Chinese President Jiang Zemin (L) and US President Bill Clinton stand in front of the White House's South Portico during  welcoming ceremonies for Jiang in  Washington in this October 29, 1997 file  photo. [Agencies]

Before leaving for the United States, President Jiang met US reporters in Beijing. He said: "I will be visiting the United States in a friendly spirit and with the desire to increase the friendship between the Chinese and American peoples and expand the common ground and cooperation between China and the United States.

It is true that there are some differences between China and the United States. But we should expand common ground and narrow differences through discussions and meetings. I believe that this visit will serve the purpose of deepening mutual understanding, expanding common ground, developing cooperation and pursuing a common future for both countries."

During his visit to the United States, President Jiang held talks with President Clinton and other US leaders during which they had extensive exchange of views on Sino-US relations and major international and regional issues of mutual interest.

After the talks, the two sides issued the Joint China-US Statement in which they outlined the goal for the future growth of Sino-US relations: To advance the lofty cause of promoting world peace and development, China and the United States should enhance cooperation and commit themselves to building a constructive strategic partnership oriented towards the 21st century.

The two presidents held that China and the United States have areas of both agreement and disagreement. They agreed that a sound and stable relationship between China and the United States serves the fundamental interests of both the Chinese and American peoples and is important to fulfilling their common responsibility to work for peace and prosperity in the 21st century.

The two sides should approach China-US relations from a long-term perspective on the basis of the principles of the three China-US joint communiqués. The US side reiterated in the statement that the United States adheres to its "one China" policy and the principles set forth in the three China-US joint communiqués.