Premier Zhu Rongji Meets US Senators

Chinese Premier Meets Joseph Biden

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Premier Zhu Rongji said Thursday that China pays great attention to its relations with the United States and thinks a healthy and stable relationship serves the common interests of both sides.

Zhu made the remarks during a meeting here with Joseph Biden, Jr., chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the US Senate and other US senators in his touring party.

Zhu briefed the US senators on China's peaceful foreign policy of independence and the progress of China over the past 20-year-plus reform and opening to the outside world.

Zhu stressed that China is focusing its attention on the development of its economy, safeguarding and realizing national reunification and maintaining peace and stability in the Asia- Pacific region and the world at large.

"China cannot, and will not be a threat to the United States or any other countries in the world," Zhu said. "China and the United States should cooperate."

Biden said they admire China's history, culture and people. Due to a lack of exchanges between people of the two countries, he said, the two peoples lack understanding of each other, and they should increase understanding and avoid misunderstanding.

He said China's importance in the world is rising and US- China relations are important to both countries and the world as well. He said the US hopes to develop mutually trustful and cooperative relations with China.