Visiting Chinese Vice Foreign Minister
Li Zhaoxing said
in Washington Monday that proper handling of the
Taiwan issue is
the key to developing a constructive relationship of cooperation
between China and the United States.
"The Taiwan question remains the most important and most sensitive
issue at the heart of China-US
relations, and it concerns China's sovereignty and territorial
integrity," Li said at a luncheon hosted by the US-China Business
Council, a private, nonpartisan US organization engaged in business
relations with China.
"There is but one China in the world. Both Taiwan and the Mainland
belong to the one and same China," he added.
The former ambassador to the US said successive US administrations,
both Republican and Democratic, have pledged to pursue the
One-China policy and abide by the three joint communiques.
"It is our hope that the US side will handle the Taiwan question
from a strategic and long-term perspective, honor its relevant
commitments and support China's efforts at peaceful reunification,"
he said. "This will serve the interests of the two countries as
well as those of the international community."
Li
pointed out that the successful meeting in Shanghai between Chinese
President Jiang Zemin and US President George W. Bush last October
marked a return to normality in the relationship which has begun
showing a positive momentum for further growth.
The two presidents reached a common understanding on working
towards a constructive, cooperative relationship between the two
countries and set the direction for such a relationship to develop
in the future, he added.
Describing the year 2002 as "a year full of hope" for China-US
relations, Li said that in two weeks' time, the two countries will
mark the 30th anniversary of President Richard Nixon's visit to
China and issuance of the Shanghai Communique, and President Bush
is also to pay a working visit to China at the time.
Li
said President Bush's visit will "provide us with an important
opportunity to review the past, look into the future and move our
constructive, cooperative relationship forward with concrete
actions."
He
said the Chinese government and people attach great importance to
President Bush's upcoming visit to China and the Chinese side
wishes to work closely with the US side on the preparations, help
create a positive atmosphere for the visit and make the Beijing
summit a success.
Li
Zhaoxing arrived in Washington on Saturday for a working visit to
the US He is expected to discuss with US government officials
bilateral relations and preparations for President's Bush's
upcoming visit to China this month.
(Xinhua News
Agency February 5, 2002)