Chinese Vice-president Meets US Defense Secretary


Chinese Vice-president Meets US Defense Secretary
Vice President Hu Jintao emphasized to visiting US Defense Secretary William Cohen on Wednesday that if the relationship between China and the US is to grow in the right direction, it is essential for the United States to strictly observe the principles outlined in the three China-US joint communiques and properly handle the Taiwan issue.

Hu made the remarks when meeting with Cohen Wednesday afternoon at the Beijing's Great Hall of the People.

As two influential nations, China and the US both are responsible for securing world peace and stability, he said.

Though they suffered a serious setback last year, China-US ties have recovered and developed thanks to the efforts of the top leaders and people of both countries, he said.

As for the future of bilateral relations, maintaining healthy and stable China-US ties is in the best interests of the two countries and conducive to world peace and development, he said. He urged both sides to proceed from historical and strategic perspectives, and to act with the fundamental interests of the Chinese people, the US and the world in mind.

The two sides should work together to promote bilateral ties within the framework set forth by the presidents of the two countries, he said, and both should broaden their understanding of and respect each other, hold talks on equal footing, and seek common ground while putting differences aside.

Hu also briefed the guests China's principled stance on the Taiwan issue.

Cohen said the purpose of his second visit to China as US Defense Secretary is to strengthen and push forward the bilateral ties.

He noted that he had visited China nine times during the past 20 years, adding that great changes have taken place in China during this period.

He reiterated that the US government sticks to the One-China policy and the principles in the three joint communiques between China and the US

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.



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