Chinese Foreign Ministry said Thursday that Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to the United States was a "complete success", which will surely exert an "important and positive influence" on the growth of Sino-US ties.

At a regular press conference held in Beijing, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao said that during Premier Wen's short but compactly-organized stay in the United States, the two sides reached consensus on a broad range of issues and the visit was very substantial.

During the visit, the spokesman noted, Wen had an in-depth exchange of views with President George W. Bush and other US leaders on bilateral ties, and reached wide-ranging and important consensus on further promoting the growth of the constructive and cooperative relations between China and the United States.

The two sides agreed that strengthening their reciprocal cooperation is in the fundamental interests of the people of both nations and conducive to the world peace and stability.

Liu said that on the Taiwan issue, leaders from both sides agreed that it is of pivotal significance to safeguard the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

Premier Wen reiterated the Chinese government's basic policy on the issue, and President Bush promised that the United States will adhere to the one-China policy, abide by the three US-China joint communiqués and opposes Taiwan's independence or any unilateral actions that seek to alter the status quo.

The Chinese side appreciates the US stance on the Taiwan issue, he noted.

The leaders of both countries also fully exchanged views over the further expansion and deepening of the Sino-US trade and economic cooperation, Liu said.

Wen proposed resolving the problem of trade deficit through reciprocity, equal consultation and further growth of trade and economic cooperation, and Bush voiced his full endorsement. They also decided to upgrade their commerce and trade joint committee and hold the committee's first meeting next spring.

While staying in the US, Wen also had extensive contact with American people from all walks of life, Liu said. The premier briefed them on China's situation in all spheres, which further enhanced the mutual understanding of the people of the two nations.

Relevant departments of the two nations also held consultations and reached consensus on issues including trade and economic cooperation, transportation, plant quarantine and environment protection. Liu said they also signed agreements on navigation and transpiration cooperation.

In addition, the two sides also agreed to hold the sixth annual consultations on defense affairs between their vice-defense ministers and the fourth counter-terrorism consultations early next year in Beijing, the spokesman said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 12, 2003)