China and the United States exchanged views on bilateral relations,
the Taiwan issue, anti-terrorism and other matters of common
concern during a two-day visit here by US Assistant Secretary for
East Asian and Pacific Affairs James Kelly.
During the October 9-10 trip, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang
Jiaxuan, Vice-Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Deputy Chief of General
Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Xiong Guangkai, and
Assistant Foreign Minister Zhou Wenzhong met with Kelly
respectively.
Reviewing the recent history of Sino-US ties, both sides agreed
that important progress has been made in many areas of bilateral
relations.
They stressed that the upcoming meeting between Chinese President
Jiang Zemin and US President George W. Bush in Shanghai will help
further advance bilateral ties.
They noted that they will do everything possible to promote
cooperation so as to make the meeting a success.
The Chinese side reiterated its principled stance on the Taiwan
issue and its concerns in that regard, and pointed out that this
matter has always been the most important and sensitive issue in
bilateral relations.
China hopes that the US side will strictly abide by a One-China
Policy and all principles enshrined in the three Sino-US joint
communiques and handle the issue with caution.
Kelly noted that the US has come to know the Taiwan issue is the
central issue in bilateral ties and he reiterated that the US
government will continue to follow a one-China policy.
The two sides also exchanged views on anti-terrorism.
The Chinese side said that the Chinese government has consistently
opposed terrorism of any form, backed relevant resolutions passed
by the United Nations General Assembly and the UN Security Council,
and supported actions against terrorism.
The Chinese side holds that military action by the US in response
to the September 11 attacks in America should aim at specific
targets and avoid hurting innocent people. China also hopes that
all actions are conducive to the peaceful and fair solution of the
Afghan issue, and to the early resumption of peace and stability in
the region.
Kelly said the US military actions in Afghanistan are limited in
scale and have specific targets, and they are not directed against
the Afghan people and Islam.
The US thanked China for its sympathy and support after the
September 11 attacks in New York and Washington D.C.
Both sides agreed that they will continue to negotiate and
cooperate closely with each other on the anti-terrorism issue.
They also exchanged views on issues of common concern including
situations in south Asia and the Korean Peninsula, and the missile
defense system.
(Xinhua News
Agency 10/11/2001)