The US said on Wednesday that the smooth development of the
US-China ties is important to the success of US foreign
policies.
"The United States and China relations will be central to our
success in nearly all fronts of our foreign policy," said US Deputy
Secretary of State John D. Negroponte when addressing the annual
dinner of National Committee on US-China Relations (NCUSCR).
"Now the challenge is much more expansive," he said, adding "we
are building US-China cooperation in third areas of the world, from
Iran to western Sudan."
"China is one of our most important bilateral relationships," he
stressed.
Negroponte expressed satisfaction with the regular and close
contacts between leaders of the two countries, saying the two
countries' presidents see each other several times a year and
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice participates in regular
meetings and holds telephone calls with her Chinese
counterpart.
Elaborating on challenges that will require Sino-US cooperation
"now and in the generation to come," he said that both countries
should strengthen cooperation in such areas as fighting terrorism,
dealing with threats from what he called "weak, poorly governed and
failing states," ensuring continued global economic prosperity,
enforcing non-proliferation norms and tackling together the
multifaceted challenges of energy security, economic activity and
climate change.
On the Taiwan question, Negroponte stressed the importance of
upholding the one-China policy, and said "We do not support Taiwan
independence. And that United States opposes unilateral acts by
either side that attempts to change the status quo in the Taiwan
Strait."
"We believe that it is up to the people on both sides of the
Strait to resolve their differences peacefully," he noted.
As for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, he said, the coming year
will see China host athletes from approximately 200 participating
teams at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. "This represents the proud
culmination of years of efforts by China's leaders, athletes and
citizens."
"The United States wants successful Games," he said.
The NCUSCR was established in 1966 to promote understanding and
cooperation between the US and China with the belief that sound and
productive Sino-American relations serve vital American and world
interests. In 1972, it sponsored the historic visit of China's
Ping-Pong team to the US.
(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2007)
