Zhu made the remarks when meeting visiting US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Zhu said that Powell's China tour was paid at a critical point of the bilateral ties and the Chinese side has noticed Powell's remarks that the United States is willing to advance the ties with China.

Though the past path of the Sino-US relations is not so smooth, such a process has kept going forward in general, Zhu said.

Zhu in the meeting expressed welcome to US President George W. Bush's upcoming China visit in autumn and believed that leaders of the two countries will exchange views then on further promoting bilateral cooperation.

Amidst the deepening of China's reform and opening-up drive, Zhu said, China is going towards the world with an ever active attitude.

China hopes to develop a constructive and cooperative relationship with the United States, he stressed.

Zhu reiterated China's principled stance on the Taiwan issue. He hoped the US side to observe the three Sino-US joint communiques, properly handle the Taiwan issue, and support China's peaceful reunification.

Powell said that the United States attaches importance to its ties with China. The goal of the United States' China policy is to improve its ties and develop cooperation with China, he said, adding that the steady improvement of the bilateral ties could bring benefits for both.

On the Taiwan issue, he said that the US government pursues the One-China policy, which will not be changed.

Powell also extended congratulation on Beijing's winning of hosting the 2008 Olympic Games.

Zhu and Powell also exchanged views on Sino-US economic and trade cooperation and other issues of common interests during the meeting.

(Xinhua News Agency 07/28/2001)