In an exclusive interview with Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV that broadcast Friday, Powell said that President George W. Bush is very much looking forward to receiving President Jiang Zemin at Crawford next Friday.

President Bush is pleased with the way that US-China relations have developed over the past 21 months of his administration, he said.

The two presidents will focus on economic and cooperation issues, including military and political cooperation, Powell said, adding that he is looking forward to a fruitful conversation between the two leaders.

Powell said the United States sees China as a friend and China is an important country that is gaining new funds from the world, as now it's part of the World Trade Organization.

"It is quite possible for our two nations with different political systems and different beliefs to cooperate to narrow differences and to support one another," he said.

Talking about the anti-terrorism campaign, Powell expressed thanks to all the support that Chinese leaders and Chinese people have given to the United States since Sept. 11 in 2001.

Powell reiterated that the US government is very much committed to the one-China policy and the three joint communiques, and President Bush will reaffirm them again to President Jiang Zemin during the meeting.

When asked to comment on the commemoration activities for the cooperation between US and Chinese pilots during World War II, Powell said it is good for both to look back after some difficult history and remember there was a unity between the two nations.

"I hope that level of cooperation will be the kind of cooperation that would exist in the future between the United States and China," he said.

Powell also answered questions about international and regional issues in the interview.

(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2002)