Vice Premier Qian said that the maintenance and development of friendly, cooperative and normal state-to-state relations between China and the United States, two major countries with important influence in the world, is of great significance for the maintenance of world peace and the promotion of the global economic development.

Qian made the remarks February 18, while he met at the Great Hall of the People with Talbott, US Deputy Secretary of State, along with Mr. Slocombe, US Under Secretary of Defense, Gen. Ralston, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Mr. Steinberg, Deputy Assistant to the US President on National Security Affairs, who have come to visit China with Talbott. Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and US Ambassador to China Prueher were present at the meeting.

Last year, Sino-US relations went through considerable fluctuations. Thanks to the joint efforts of the leaders and governments of the two countries, particularly after the meeting between President Jiang Zemin and President Clinton in Auckland, Sino-US relations have been restored and developed.

At present, Sino-US relations are faced with opportunities for further improvement and development, but there are also challenges. The Chinese side is ready to work together with the US side to advance Sino-US relations in the direction and towards the goal set by the two leaders.

Vice Premier Qian stressed that the Taiwan question has always been the most important and the most sensitive issue at the core of Sino-US relations. It is the hope of the Chinese side that the US side will properly handle the Taiwan question in strict accordance with the three Sino-US joint communiqu¨¦s and the relevant commitments it has made, as this is of crucial importance to the healthy and stable development of Sino-US relations.

Talbott said, the Clinton administration is committed to developing US-China relations and President Clinton is determined to push, in the remaining time of his term, for the further development of US-China relations towards the establishment of a constructive strategic partnership. President Clinton is firmly committed to building the support of the US Congress for permanent NTR with China.

On the Taiwan question, Talbott noted, the US side realizes the importance and sensitivity of the question and strictly observes the "one China" principle, the three Sino-US joint communiqu¨¦s and the "three-no" commitment.

He stated that the US Government is opposed to the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act and will block the bill from becoming law.

Also on February 18, Gen. Zhang Wannian, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, met with Talbott, Under Secretary of Defense Slocombe and Vice Chairman Ralston of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The two sides held discussions on the resumption of exchanges and development of ties of the military of the two countries. Zhang specifically elaborated on the position of the Chinese side on the Taiwan question, including US arms sales to Taiwan.

On the same day, Liu Huaqiu, Minister in charge of the Foreign Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Xiong Guangkai, PLA Deputy Chief of General Staff, met separately with Talbott.

On February 17 and 18, Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Deputy Secretary of State Talbott held Sino-US consultations on strategic and security issues. The two sides focused on global and regional security, Sino-US relations and, in particular, the Taiwan question, and had an in-depth and candid exchange of views on these issues. The two sides agreed that China and the US bear special responsibilities for world and regional peace, stability and security. The two sides expressed their desire to increase contact, enhance mutual understanding, broaden consensus and promote cooperation. The Chinese side pointed out that the development and deployment of NMD and TMD is not in the interest of global strategic balance, now does it serve regional peace and stability. The Chinese side hopes that the US side will respect the universal aspiration of the international community, exercise caution and make a wise decision.