Chinese President Jiang Zemin met with US Senator Larry Craig and his delegation at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on December 1.

Jiang said that both China and the United States are determined to bring the sound, stable and growing Sino-US relations into the new century. "This is not only in the interests of the peoples in our two countries, but also conductive to peace and development of the world," he said.

Taking the recently signed Sino-US agreement on China's admission into the World Trade Organization (WTO) as an example, Jiang pointed out that both China and the US should review major issues that are of fundamental interest to Sino-US relations and the rest of the world.

On the Taiwan issue, Jiang stressed that the problem touches the hearts of all the Chinese people. He urged the US to observe the three Sino-US joint communiques and relevant commitments in dealing with the Taiwan issue, citing that such documents are of vital importance in ensuring the health and steady growth of China- USrelations.

Jiang also recalled exchanges with the US congressmen during his 1997 state visit to the US. He reiterated the importance of promoting mutual understanding and improving relations between China and the US Congress.

Craig, who is also the chairman of the policy committee of the Republican Party, expressed his support for the bilateral pact signed by the China and the US on China's WTO accession. He told Jiang he was fully aware of the importance of properly handling the Taiwan issue and expressed the willingness to promote bilateral ties and economic and trade cooperation.

Craig and his party, who arrived in Beijing on Tuesday, are here as guest of the Foreign Affairs Committee of China's National People's Congress for a week-long visit. Zeng Jianhui, director of the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee, held talks with Craig on issues of mutual concern this morning. The US visitors are scheduled to visit Shanghai and Xiamen, in additin to Beijing.