Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian reaffirmed Chinese government's stance on the Taiwan issue and hoped that the United States would deal with the issue properly.

Chi, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and a state councilor, made the remarks Monday at a meeting with Brent Scowcroft, former National Security Affairs assistant to the US president

He said he hopes that the U.S. not to sell advanced weapons to Taiwan, not to give wrong signals to Taiwan, and not to act against the three China-US joint communiquis, so that constructive and cooperative relations between the two countries would not be affected.

He added that promoting mutual trust, reducing suspicion, seeking common ground while maintaining differences are significant for the development of China-U.S. relations.

Scowcroft said China and the U.S. have cooperated in political, economic and cultural fields for years and promoted mutual trust and friendly relations in the military field.

He called upon the armed forces of the two countries to promote contact and dialogue in the new century, saying that he would like to make his best effort in this regard.

Scowcroft arrived in China Friday at the invitation of the China Society for International Strategic Studies.

( July 1, 2002)