China and the United States should
expand mutual interests that will "not only maintain the stability
of, but also add strong vigor to, the development of bilateral
relations."
Former Vice Premier Qian Qichen said this at a four-day forum on
Sino-US relations, which opened in Beijing yesterday.
He called for more cooperation in areas of common interest such as
trade, energy and the fight against bird flu.
He also stressed the need for coordination in the development of
nuclear power, natural gas and the use of cleaner energy.
The forum is being held less than a week before a scheduled visit
by US President George W. Bush to China on November 19.
At yesterday's forum, Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi
acknowledged that trade frictions exist, but he added: "We should
focus on the broad interests of Sino-US economic and trade
cooperation, avoid politicizing trade issues, and resolve disputes
through consultation."
According to Yang, China is now the US' third largest trading
partner while the US is China's second largest trading
partner.
Both Qian and Yang believe that China and the US should properly
handle the sensitive Taiwan question.
Qian noted that it is in the interest of both China and the US to
oppose Taiwanese nationalism and safeguard peace and stability
across the Taiwan Straits.
He said China is deeply concerned that the US is selling advanced
weapons to Taiwan and upgrading military ties with the island, as
this only sends wrong signals to the Taiwan nationalist forces, and
is detrimental to cross-Straits stability.
General Xiong Guangkai, deputy chief of general staff of the
People's Liberation Army, echoed Qian's views.
Taiwan's separatists threaten security in the region, he
said.
Qian also reiterated China's policy of peaceful development.
He said that in the US, there are misunderstandings about a strong
China, and even concern that US interests will be undermined.
He said the major task of the Chinese government is to improve the
living standard of its 1.3 billion people. China is seeking
sustainable development in a peaceful international
atmosphere.
Former US president George Bush, who was the head of the US liaison
office in China between 1974 and 1975, told the forum that despite
challenges to the relationship, he and his son, the current US
president George W. Bush, believe that Sino-US relations have
improved markedly.
"He also feels it is in good shape," he said, echoing George W.
Bush's perceptions of bilateral ties in an interview last
week.
It was the senior Bush's 14th visit to China since leaving office
in 1992. The forum, initiated by him, provides a unique opportunity
for policymakers, scholars and business leaders from the two
countries to exchange ideas and address issues of common
interest.
(China Daily November 15, 2005)