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Bush: US opposed to Taiwan 'independence'
(China Daily/Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-06-09 00:25
US President George W. Bush stressed on Tuesday his country's continued
opposition to Taiwan "independence."
President Bush also reaffirmed US adherence to the one-China policy and the
three Sino-US joint communiques.
US President George
W. Bush stressed on June 7 the US government's continued opposition to
Taiwan "independence." [AFP/file] | Bush made the remarks at a meeting with Sheng Huaren, vice-chairman and
secretary general of the Standing Committee of China's National People's
Congress (NPC), who is currently on a visit to the United States.
Bush also said he was looking forward to meeting with President Hu Jintao
during their exchange of visits later this year.
Bush said the current US-Chinese relationship is very good, and that
bilateral relations will continue to develop.
While accepting that sticking points may emerge as the relationship develops,
the US president said these should be dealt with on the basis of mutual respect
to maintain the vitality of relations.
Sheng, who is also chairman of the NPC Sino-US parliamentary group (Senate),
said the exchange of visits of Bush and Hu would further promote the
constructive and co-operative relationship between China and the United States.
He said there are signs the situation across the Taiwan Straits is easing up,
but that Taiwan authorities have not stopped secessionist activities.
Sheng said China appreciates Bush's adherence to the one-China policy,
observation of the three Sino-US joint communiques and opposition to Taiwan
"independence."
Concerted efforts to oppose and contain activities aimed at splitting Taiwan
from China, and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, are in
the common interests of both the US and China, he added.
On bilateral trade and economic co-operation, Sheng said the two countries
could find solutions through dialogue following the principle of "development,
equality, and mutual benefit" agreed upon by Bush and Premier Wen Jiabao during
Wen's 2003 visit to the US.
Sheng arrived in Washington on Monday afternoon at the invitation of US
Senate President Ted Stevens, chairman of the US-China parliamentary group in
the US Senate, and Senator Daniel K. Inouye, co-chairman of the group.
China's NPC set up exchange mechanisms with the US House of Representatives
and Senate in 1999 and 2004 respectively. Through these candid exchanges of
views on bilateral relations and issues of common concern have taken place,
mutual understanding and trust have increased, and the Sino-US relationship has
been pushed forward, Sheng said at a reception hosted by the US Senate in his
honour on Tuesday.
Parliamentary exchange is part and parcel of the state relationship between
China and the United States, Sheng added.
As both China and the United States are influential countries in the world,
he said, the importance of Sino-US relations goes beyond the scope of normal
bilateral relationship.
In their speeches at the reception, US Senate President Stevens, Senator
Inouye, co-chair of the Senate's US-China parliamentary group, and Senate
Majority Leader Bill Frist said a good US-China relationship is a major factor
in contributing to peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world
as a whole.
Sheng and his entourage are scheduled to have the second round of formal
talks with their US counterparts on Wednesday local time.
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