Chinese President Hu Jintao met visiting United States Secretary of State Colin Powell in Beijing Monday.

During the meeting, Hu said the current situation across the Taiwan Straits remains complex and sensitive. The aims of pro-independence forces remain the root cause of cross-straits tensions and the greatest threat to peace and stability in the region, said Hu.

He said he appreciated the United States' reiteration of its adherence to a one-China policy, the three joint communiqués and opposition to Taiwan independence.

He also said he hoped the US could clearly see the potential harm of pro-independence actions and turn its words on Taiwan into concrete deeds.? This he sees as crucial to safeguarding peace and stability across the straits and in the region generally, and to the sound and stable development of Sino-US relations.

Powell emphasized that the United States will unswervingly pursue a one-China policy and oppose any actions seeking independence for Taiwan. He said he valued the positive role China has played in many crucial international issues such as anti-terrorism and Darfur.

Regarding bilateral relations, Powell said that in the past four years their relationship has seen great developments based on mutual respect and cooperation, and the two countries have maintained close exchanges at many different levels.

He extended US President George W. Bush's greeting to Hu and said Bush expected to meet Hu at the upcoming APEC meeting in November.

Powell started his two-day China visit on Sunday afternoon. Beijing is the second leg of his three-nation Asia tour after Japan, the third being the Republic of Korea.

(Xinhua News Agency October 25, 2004)