Constructive cooperation between the US and China will be the focus
of President George W. Bush's forthcoming visit, according to Mei
Zhaorong, president of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign
Affairs (CPIFA).
"Both countries should increase mutual understanding and reduce
differences through dialogues based on the Five Principles of
Peaceful Coexistence and the three communiques between the two in
order to develop mutually beneficial, healthy and stable bilateral
relations,'' he said.
Mei made the remarks Tuesday, two days before Bush's two-day visit
to Beijing.
The CPIFA is one of China's top non-governmental organizations
involving foreign contacts. It maintains extensive contacts with
statesmen, diplomats, public figures, scholars and entrepreneurs in
more than 130 countries.
"I
hope Bush can fulfill his promise of developing constructive
cooperative relations with China by carrying out concrete action,"
said Mei.
The past year witnessed a series of twists and turns in bilateral
ties. However, with joint efforts, relations have showed
improvement in the second half of the year.
Mei pointed out the Bush administration has readjusted its stance
on China from a "strategic competitor" to stress development of
constructive cooperative relations with China since the September
11 terrorist attacks in the US.
The new change in direction is worth paying attention to and
welcomed, Mei said, adding constructive cooperation should be
expanded to various fields, such as politics, economics, science
and culture.
The development of Sino-American relations is of the interests of
the two nations but also benefits worldwide peace, stability and
development, Mei said, adding that, as the biggest developing
country and the biggest developed country in the world, China and
the US respectively have many common interests, yet substantial
differences remain in bilateral relations.
He
pointed out this year marks the 30th anniversary of the 1972
Shanghai Communique, which opened the door for bilateral contacts
and exchanges.
This agreement, plus the joint communique of establishment of
diplomatic relations and the "August 17" joint communique, are key
to the sound and steady advancement of bilateral relations, he
said.
Mei pointed out the Taiwan question -- the most sensitive issue in
the bilateral relations -- has proved to be the major disruption to
the stable development of Sino-US relations.
Chinese urge the US to stop arms sales to Taiwan and abandon its
assistance to Taiwanese separatist forces, Mei said, calling the US
to abide by the one-China policy and peaceful reunification.
Mei noted there is now greater potential for the development of
Sino-US trade relations.
Trade volume between the two nations hit US$80.5 billion last year,
and the US has been China's second biggest trade partner while
China is its fourth biggest.
Under these circumstances, it is especially important for the two
sides to enhance mutual understanding and dialogue, said Mei.
In
a bid to further promote bilateral ties, the CPIFA will continue to
host various non-official, high-level and substantive exchange
activities between the two countries, Mei concluded.
(China
Daily February 20, 2002)