At a regular press conference, Liu said Jiang held fruitful talks with US President George W. Bush and they exchanged views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues, reaching broad consensus on cooperation in economic and trade, cultural and other fields.

The two leaders believed that it is very important to maintain top-level strategic dialogues and contacts between the two countries, and they agreed to enhance such contacts.

Jiang and Bush expressed satisfaction with the two countries' cooperation in the anti-terror campaign in the past year and agreed to strengthen such cooperation "in a bilateral and mutually beneficial manner, and to work together against terrorism in all forms and manifestations," Liu said.

The two presidents agreed the two countries should hold the third round of anti-terror consultations within the year.

They also agreed the two countries would resume military exchanges, and hold consultations at the vice defense ministerial level on defense and carry out other exchanges in the near future.

The two leaders also decided to establish a consultation mechanism at the vice foreign ministerial level on issues of strategic security, multilateral arms control and anti-proliferation.

Liu said the two leaders discussed and had "a frank exchange of views" on the Taiwan question. Jiang elaborated on China's basic policy of "peaceful unification, and one country, two systems" for the settlement of the Taiwan issue.

Jiang emphasized that the separatist activities of the "Taiwan independence" forces constitute the biggest threat to stability across the Taiwan Straits and to the development of Sino-US relations.

Jiang hoped that the US side would stick to the one-China policy and the three Sino-US communiques, and play a constructive role in the peaceful reunification of China.

Bush said the US side understands the sensitivity of the Taiwan issue, adheres to the one-China policy and opposes the independence of Taiwan. The United States appreciates China's stand on the peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue, and the above-mentioned policy of the US government will remain unchanged.

Liu said Jiang has invited Bush to visit China again and Bush has accepted the invitation with pleasure.

The spokesman said US Vice-President Dick Cheney will pay a formal visit to China early next year at the invitation of Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao.

This marks the continuation of high-level exchanges between thetwo countries and is of significance for maintaining the high-level strategic dialogue, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 30, 2002)