In meeting with former US ambassadors and professors from Harvard University, Hu spoke highly of academic cooperation and ties between the two countries in the study of Sino-US relations.

The American guests included former ambassadors to China Winston Lord and Stapleton Roy, former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chas Freeman, Jr., former Ambassador to the Philippines Richard Solomon, former Director of the Fairbank Center for East Asian Research of Harvard University Ezra Vogel, Director of the Asia Center of Harvard University William Kirby, and Professor Robert Ross from the Fairbank Center.

The visitors came to China to attend an international symposium on Sino-US relations organized by the Party School of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee and Harvard University.

Since the Sino-US Shanghai Communique was signed 30 years ago, bilateral relations have been developing constantly despite ups and downs, Hu said.

At the 2001 Economic Leaders Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), President Jiang Zemin and US President George Bush reached a consensus on constructive cooperation between the two countries, he said.

"As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, both China and the United States have great influence worldwide," Hu said.

"The improvement and development of Sino-US relations will not only be in interest of both nations, but also help safeguard world peace and stability and promote world development and prosperity."

Hu wishes to push forward bilateral relations towards constructive cooperation through more exchanges, understanding and cooperation.

Hu also briefed the guests on China's consistent stance on the Taiwan issue and China's reform and opening-up.

Lord said former officials and scholars attending the symposium show much concern over the development of bilateral relations.

During the past two-day seminar, February 21, 1972, the day when late US President Richard Nixon visited China 30 years ago, was often mentioned by symposium participants, Lord said.

Some said they were honored to have accompanied Nixon to China in 1972, and all were looking forward to February 21 this year when President George Bush will visit China, Lord said.

He expressed the representatives' willingness to make further efforts for the development of bilateral relations.

(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2002)