Chinese President Hu Jintao met on Sunday with US Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice.
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Hu said US President George W. Bush sent Rice to China at the
beginning of his second term, which indicates the importance
attached by Bush and the US government to developing China-US
relations.
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Hu expressed his belief that Rice's China tour would be helpful
for China and the United States to strengthen coordination in some
issues of common concern, and would promote the China-US
constructive and cooperative relations.
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Rice said she came here to "emphasize how important the United
States considers" the constructive relationship with China, which
was growing and deepening. The two sides would discuss many
important issues during this visit, she said.
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People around the world are watching the "remarkable
transformation" that is going on in China, Rice said.
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The two sides would deal with bilateral relations and related
issues "in the spirit of cooperation and respect", she said.
Premier Wen Jiabao also met on Sunday with Condoleezza Rice.
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Wen said Rice's arrival will help plant new seeds for China-US
friendship.
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Wen recalled his "successful" visit to the United States in
December, 2003, during which US President George W. Bush made clear
that the US side would adhere to the one-China policy, and stand
opposed to "Taiwan independence".
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Wen attributed the success of that visit to Rice's efforts,
adding his appreciation for the efforts made by President Bush, the
US government and Rice.
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Rice said she made this China tour soon after she became US
Secretary of State with the hope to promote a "very strong
relationship" with China that both sides have done.
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"It is good for the world if we continue to have a constructive
and good relationship between the United States and China." said
Rice.
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The US side hopes to conduct consultations in various fields
with China, a confident and good partner, and such consultations
are helpful for the Asian-Pacific region and the world, she
said.
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Rice visited China in 2002 and 2004, as the US national security
adviser. But this is her first China tour since she became the top
US diplomat in January.
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China is the last leg of Rice's Asian tour, which has already
taken her to India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Japan and the Republic
of Korea.
Analysts believe the China-US ties, the question of Taiwan and
the resumption of six-party talks on the Korean Peninsular nuclear
issue are among the priorities of her visit.
(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2005)