Powell told Hu: US opposes Taiwan independence
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-10-25 15:05

US Secretary of State Colin Powell emphasized, during his meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao, that the United States will unswervingly pursue the one-China policy and oppose any action aiming at "Taiwan independence".

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with visiting US Secretary of State Colin Powell in Beijing October 25, 2004. [Xinhua]

President Hu said he appreciated the United States' reiteration for many times that it adheres to the one-China policy, abides by the three joint communiques and opposes "Taiwan independence".

Opposition to "Taiwan independence" and curbing risky activities of "Taiwan independence" forces are in the common interests of both China and the United States, and the Asian-Pacific countries, said the Chinese President.

Hu said the current situation across the Taiwan Straits is still very complicated and sensitive.

The "Taiwan independence" forces' activities aiming at splitting the country remain the root of the cross-straits tension and the greatest threat to peace and stability in the region, said Hu.

He said he hoped the US side to see clearly the nature and serious harm of the "Taiwan independence" forces and really turn its promises on the Taiwan question into concrete actions, which is crucial to safeguarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and in the Asian-Pacific region, and the sound and stable development of Sino-US relations.

Regarding the bilateral relations, Powell said in the past four years, the US-China relationship has seen great development on the basis of mutual respect and cooperation, and the two countries have maintained close exchanges at many different levels.

President Bush and the US Administration have placed great emphasis on the development of mutual benefit and cooperation, said Powell.

President Hu Jintao also praised the regular contact and dialogue between China and the United States on bilateral relations and issues of common concern, saying they are of great significance to the development of Sino-US constructive cooperative relations.

He expressed his appreciation for Powell's positive contributions to the improvement and development of Sino-US relations during his term as US Secretary of State.

Premier Meets Powell

The visiting US Secretary of State Colin Powel Monday also met Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

During his meeting with Powell, Wen said he appreciated the contributions the secretary of state had made to promoting Sino-US relations.

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao (R) welcomes US Secretary of State Colin Powell during a meeting in Beijing October 25, 2004. Powell hoped China to exert its influence over North Korea to resume six-party negotiations on scrapping its suspected nuclear weapons programmes. [Reuters]

He said Powel's visit to China reminded him of the happy experience of his visit to the United States 11 months ago, where he had talks with Powel and met with US President George W. Bush.

The meeting has substantiated the principles guiding Sino-US relations and will play a positive role in advancing such relations, Wen said.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) talks with US Secretary of State Colin Powell during a meeting in Beijing October 25, 2004. Powell hoped China to exert its influence over North Korea to resume six-party negotiations on scrapping its suspected nuclear weapons programmes. [Reuters]

Powel said he was very happy to visit Beijing once again and Wen's US visit remained fresh in his memory. During that visit, President Bush reaffirmed the one-China policy.

Powel arrived in Beijing Sunday afternoon for a two-day visit to China. This is the second leg of his Asian tour. He had visited Japan before coming to Beijing and will also visit the Republic of Korea.

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