Wen makes four proposals to promote Sino-US relations

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, December 10, 2003

Wen makes four proposals to promote Sino-US relations

Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Tuesday in Washington that China and the United States are friends, not adversaries and he put forward a series of proposals aimed at promoting the constructive and cooperative relations between the two countries.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Tuesday in Washington that China and the United States are friends, not adversaries.

Addressing a dinner hosted by nine American organizations, Wen, who arrived here Monday on his first official visit to the United States since taking the office early this year, put forward a series of proposals aimed at promoting the constructive and cooperative relations between the two countries.

First, he said, the two countries should continue with high-level visits and strategic dialogue.

Second, efforts should be made to facilitate mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation and establish a sound mechanism to address bilateral issues.

The third proposal he made is for intensifying coordination between the two countries on major international and regional issues.

In the fourth proposal, the premier called for expanding people-to-people exchanges.

Wen said that the Chinese nation has always cherished peace and harmony and that the rise of China is peaceful.

China is always in favor of friendship, partnership and cooperation with its neighboring and all other countries, he said.

Premier Wen urges US to handle Taiwan issue properly

Wen Jiabao called on the US government on Tuesday to handle the Taiwan issue properly and support China's peaceful reunification to ensure the healthy and smooth development of the Sino-US relations.

Wen said safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the paramount national interest and an unshakable principle for any country.

"Our fundamental policy on the settlement of the Taiwan question is 'peaceful reunification' and 'one country, two systems'," Wen said. "We have all along been doing our utmost to achieve the ultimate reunification in a peaceful manner."

"We sincerely hope to see a peaceful settlement of the Taiwan question. So long as there is the slightest hope, we will not give up our endeavor for peace," he said. "However, our endeavor for peace has time and again been challenged by the separatist forces in Taiwan."

He said the Chinese government and people respect the legitimate democratic rights exercised by Taiwan compatriots, but will absolutely not tolerate the "Taiwan independence" forces' attempt to separate Taiwan from China under the pretext of democracy.

"The separatist activities aimed at 'Taiwan independence' carried out by the Taiwan authorities are seriously undermining the political basis of Sino-US cooperation and our common interests, and putting peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region in jeopardy," he said.

"We hope that the US government will handle the Taiwan question properly and support China's peaceful reunification," Wen added.

The nine American organizations hosting the dinner were the National Committee on US-China relations, the US-China Business Council, the America-China Forum, the Asia Society, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Committee of 100, the Council on Foreign Relations, the US Chamber of Commerce and the US-China Policy Foundation.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Full text of speech by Premier Wen Jiabao at a dinner

Wen, Bush agree to further enhance Sino-US relations

Wen proposes principles on Sino-US trade, economic ties

>> Full Coverage

US TV dump charges not just a biz spat: Analysis ( 4 Messages)

China not to tolerate splitting Taiwan from motherland: Premier ( 3 Messages)

Trade war? A buying spree for cheap Chinese goods ( 3 Messages)

Moon probe to blast off in 3 years: Chief scientists ( 2 Messages)

Bush strategy: Spend now, pay later? ( 35 Messages)