US President George W. Bush met with visiting Chinese Foreign
Minister Yang Jiechi in the oval office of the White House on
Tuesday to exchange views on bilateral ties as well as
international and regional issues of mutual concern.
The president said that he attaches great importance to US-China
relationship, adding that his administration is willing to
strengthen communications and cooperation with China.
Yang said that the Sino-US relationship has generally maintained
a positive momentum of stable development. He said the Chinese side
would work with the US side in firmly implementing the important
consensus reached between Chinese President Hu Jintao and President
Bush on the development of constructive and cooperative Sino-US
relationship.
The Chinese minister said that both sides should also actively
enhance exchanges, mutual trust and cooperation, and properly
handle sensitive issues to promote the development of bilateral
relationship in a sustained, sound and stable manner.
On the Taiwan issue, Yang said that Chen Shuibian, the leader of
Taiwan, has sped up efforts to pursue "de jure independence" by
pushing hard for a referendum to join the United Nations under the
name of Taiwan, defying strong opposition from the international
community.
China and the United States should make joint efforts,
strengthen cooperation, and take practical steps to prevent any
form of splittist activities designed for "the independence of
Taiwan," including the referendum for U.N. membership, Yang said,
adding that this is in the common interests of both China and the
United States.
In response, President Bush reaffirmed US position that it
opposes the push by the Taiwan authorities for a referendum on U.N.
membership and any unilateral change in the status quo across the
Taiwan Straits.
Yang flew in to attend an international Middle East conference
which was held in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday.
(Xinhua News Agency November 29, 2007)
