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Jiang Zemin and Bush Holds Talks
Jiang Zemin and Bush Start Talks
Chinese President Jiang Zemin held talks with U.S. President George W. Bush in Shanghai Friday morning. The presidents had an in-depth exchange of views on Sino-U.S. relations, anti-terrorism, maintenance of world peace and stability and other major issues. The talks were constructive and fruitful.
This was the first meeting between the two leaders. It is also Bush's first overseas visit after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States. China is a Great Country: Bush Bush said during the meeting that he has been expecting the visit so that he can have face-to-face talks with President Jiang. The United States attaches great importance to the relationship with China, he said.
China is a great country and is not an enemy of the United States, Bush said, adding that he regards China as a friend of the United States.
The United States has been working for developing a constructive relationship of cooperation with China, and while differences may exist between the U.S. and China, the two countries will deal with the differences in the spirit of mutual respect and frankness, Bush said.
Bush said that he has been strongly supporting China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO). He extended his congratulations on China's imminent entry into the WTO, and said that China's accession to the WTO will be favorable to both China and the United States.
He also congratulated China on its successful bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games.
Bush thanked China for its quick response to the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11 and its clear and firm support of the U.S. people in fighting terrorism as well as China's cooperation in this regard. Constructive Relationship of Cooperation Urged Jiang said that China attaches great importance to the Sino-U.S. relationship and has always held that China and the U.S. develop a constructive relationship of cooperation.
To this end, Jiang said that a high-level strategic dialogue mechanism may be established between the two sides, through which the two leaders, directly or via envoys, exchange views on major issues of common concern, and communicate timely.
"We live in a world of diversity and different views may exist between China and the United States. But it's necessary for the two countries to pursue long-term co-existence," Jiang said.
The two countries should seek common grounds while putting aside differences, and keep on expanding their common aspects, Jiang said, adding that history has proved that only in this way the Sino-U.S. relations will achieve development. Taiwan Issue the Most Sensitive Jiang said that the Taiwan issue has always been the most sensitive issue in the Sino-U.S. relations.
China's basic approach to resolving the issue has always been "peaceful reunification" and "One country, Two systems", Jiang said.
"We hope that the United States adhere to the one-China principle and abide by the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques," said Jiang.
Bush said that he takes the opportunity of coming to China this time to reaffirm that the U.S. government pursues the one- China policy and adheres to the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques. Shanghai a vivid epitome of China's development. Jiang said China has registered great progress since its reform and opening up in the late 1970s, and Shanghai is a vivid epitome of China's development.
China attaches great importance to trade and economic cooperation with the United States, and its recent purchase of 30 Boeing airplanes demonstrates the broad prospect for Sino-U.S. trade and economic cooperation, said Jiang. China Supports Fight against Terrorism On the anti-terrorism issue, Jiang said China has always been opposed to all forms of terrorism and always supports the fight against terrorism.
The more accurate the strike against terrorists, the more effective the strike, said Jiang, adding that the fight against terrorism should avoid harming innocent people.
Jiang said that a medium- and long-term mechanism for anti- terrorism cooperation may be established between China and the United States.
The two presidents also exchanged views on major international issues of common concern during their meeting.
After the talks, the two leaders met the press. To see full story, Click Here.
President Jiang is expected to host a dinner the same day in honor of President Bush.
Present at the meeting were member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Vice- premier Qian Qichen, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the CPC Huang Ju, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee Zeng Qinghong, and State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council Wang Zhongyu.
Also present were Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, Vice Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Chinese Ambassador to the United States Yang Jiechi.
U.S. State Secretary Colin Powell, Assistant to President for National Security Affairs Condoleezza Rice and U.S. Ambassador to China Clark T. Randt, Jr., were present at the meeting.
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