China and the United States reaffirmed their
agreement on Monday to continue to work towards resumption of
six-party talks and to support a one-China policy.
During the second leg of his three-nation Asian
tour, US Secretary of State Colin Powell made clear his country’s
stance on both issues in meetings and talks with Chinese
leaders.
Powell arrived in Beijing Sunday afternoon after
winding up his Tokyo visit and would fly on to Seoul to continue
his round of Asian meetings. Chinese President Hu
Jintao, Premier Wen
Jiabao and Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing all met with Powell.
"What we agreed on today is the need for the
six-party framework to continue," Powell told a press conference
after his meeting with Hu. "I hope that as a result of our
conversations today, both of us will energize the other members of
the six-party framework to resolve the outstanding issues that keep
us from setting a date for a meeting."
By June this year, China had hosted three rounds of six-party talks
to try to resolve the Korean peninsula nuclear issue. But the
fourth round scheduled for September failed to take place.
Praising China's active efforts in pushing for
talks, Powell said he is confident that they are totally behind the
process. "We reaffirmed our commitment today to the six-party talks
and hope the next round will be held in the recent future," he
said.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North
Korea) has criticized the US for its hostile policy toward the
country, calling it "a master key" for settling the nuclear
issue.
"We wish the US side would go further to adopt a
flexible and practical attitude on the issue," said Li. "China will
make efforts to push for a new round of six-party talks at the
earliest date in a bid to carry on the hard-earned peaceful
discussion process."
Powell also reiterated commitment to a one-China policy based on
the three Sino-US joint communiqués, saying the US will oppose any
action aimed at Taiwan independence.
Hu said the activities of pro-independence forces
aiming to split the country remain at the root of the cross-straits
tension and the greatest threat to peace and stability in the
region.
Recognizing the US’ consistent one-China policy, Hu
said they should appreciate the serious harm of these activities
and turn words into concrete actions.
"We will not compromise on issues concerning
national sovereignty and territorial integrity," said Wen in his
meeting with Powell.
Regarding Sino-US relations, both sides affirmed
their sound development. "The relations progressed a great deal in
the last four years, the two sides held good and constructive talks
on trade and economic issues," Powell said.
As for the abduction of Chinese engineers in
Pakistan, Powell expressed his condolence to the victims and their
families.
The two sides had candid and open discussions on
human rights and they agreed to start talks about resuming dialogue
on these issues.
(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2004)
