Chinese President Hu Jintao
met visiting United States Secretary of State Colin Powell in
Beijing Monday.
During the meeting, Hu said the current situation across the
Taiwan Straits remains complex and sensitive. The aims of
pro-independence forces remain the root cause of cross-straits
tensions and the greatest threat to peace and stability in the
region, said Hu.
He said he appreciated the United States' reiteration of its
adherence to a one-China policy, the three
joint communiqués and opposition to Taiwan independence.
He also said he hoped the US could clearly see the potential
harm of pro-independence actions and turn its words on Taiwan into
concrete deeds.? This he sees as crucial to safeguarding peace
and stability across the straits and in the region generally, and
to the sound and stable development of
Sino-US relations.
Powell emphasized that the United States will unswervingly
pursue a one-China policy and oppose any actions seeking
independence for Taiwan. He said he valued the positive role China
has played in many crucial international issues such as
anti-terrorism and Darfur.
Regarding bilateral relations, Powell said that in the past four
years their relationship has seen great developments based on
mutual respect and cooperation, and the two countries have
maintained close exchanges at many different levels.
He extended US President George W. Bush's greeting to Hu and
said Bush expected to meet Hu at the upcoming APEC meeting in
November.
Powell started his two-day China visit on Sunday afternoon.
Beijing is the second leg of his three-nation Asia tour after
Japan, the third being the Republic of Korea.
(Xinhua News Agency October 25, 2004)
