Chinese President Jiang Zemin talked with US President George W. Bush on the phone Thursday, as arranged earlier. The two Presidents exchanged views on Sino-US relations and issues of common interest.
President Jiang Zemin began by congratulating the US government and people on their Independence Day. He said that Sino-US relations encountered difficulties in the recent past. "However," he said, "as a result of some positive steps taken recently by both sides, the bilateral relations have improved. I have noted that, Mr. President, you have stated on many occasions that the US stands ready to build a constructive relationship with China. The Chinese government and people attach importance to Sino-US relations and wish to have a constructive relationship of cooperation with the US."
President Jiang pointed out that China and the US, both carrying a significant weight in the world, share important interests in maintaining world peace, promoting common development and on some major international issues. We should work together for a stable development of the bilateral relations on the basis of the three Sino-US joint communiques.
President Bush said that US-China relations are vital and that there should be good dialogues between the two countries. He said that China is a great and important nation, and that he respects China and respects China's history and future. The US and China can find areas where they can work together.
President Bush told President Jiang that he has always been a strong advocator of China's entry into the WTO, because this serves the interests of both the US and China. The two countries may cooperate on many international issues.
President Bush said he would come to Shanghai this October to attend the APEC meetings and visit Beijing. He thanked President Jiang for the invitation and expressed his wish to have frank and fruitful talks with President Jiang.
President Jiang said he was looking forward to meeting with President Bush in Shanghai and Beijing.
(Xinhua News Agency 07/06/2001)
