Jiang Zemin Meets US Treasury Secretary


Jiang Zemin Meets Paul O'Neill
China is glad to see the recent positive improvement in Sino-US ties after some ups and downs, President Jiang Zemin said Monday in a meeting with US Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill.

Jiang said although some differences exist between the two countries, there are more extensive and important common interests.

To develop a constructive relationship of cooperation between the two nations, he said, is not only beneficial to the two peoples, but also significant for world peace, stability and prosperity.

Jiang said he expects to meet U.S. President George W. Bush during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting, to be held in Shanghai in October.

He also briefed O'Neill on China's economic situation, China's pending entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its stance on this issue.

To join the WTO is a strategy that China has worked out in line with the economic globalization and it conforms with the reform and open-up drive, and the goal to establish the socialist market economy system, Jiang said.

After the accession, he said, China will treat all WTO members equally without discrimination, and the principles China upholds in the WTO talks apply to all members.

O'Neill said President Bush is expecting to visit China and meet with President Jiang.

Before coming to Beijing, O'Neill attended the Eighth Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Finance Ministers Meeting that concluded Sunday in Suzhou in east China's Jiangsu Province.

He noted that he admires China's great achievements in its economic restructuring, and in the reform and open-up drive.

The treasury secretary said he welcomed China's stance to keep its commitments after it enters the WTO.

Chinese Finance Minister Xiang Huaicheng was also present at the meeting.






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