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Bush praised for efforts to build China ties

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-11-24 07:44

President Hu Jintao meets his US counterpart George W. Bush in Lima on Friday ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting. Reuters

LIMA: President Hu Jintao praised US President George W. Bush for his active efforts to develop the Sino-US relations since he took office and hoped he would continue to play an active role in promoting bilateral ties.

Sino-US relations have made significant headway thanks to concerted efforts in the last seven years, Hu said at the meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

It is the second time that Hu met Bush, who leaves office in January, since they met in the Group of 20 Summit less than 10 days ago.

"Reviewing the development of the Sino-US relations over the past years, the most important experience we gained is that we should proceed from a strategic and long-term perspective, take a firm hold of the main course of the Sino-US constructive and cooperative relations, increase mutual trust, enhance cooperation and deal with disagreements and sensitive issues properly, in particular, the Taiwan question," Hu said.

The Taiwan question concerns China's key interests and remains the most important and sensitive issue in Sino-US relations, Hu said, noting that the one-China principle can never be changed.

At the moment, the relationship between the United States and China is going through a pivotal period and China is willing to work with the United States to maintain its sound development, he added.

China will continue to adopt effective measures to maintain a stable and moderately fast economic growth so as to play a constructive role in helping maintain the stability of the world economy, he added.

Bush pledged to continue to help promote the development of bilateral ties.

He admitted the importance of the US-China economic and trade relations, urging both sides to make joint efforts to advance the Doha round of talks and take concrete actions to prevent protectionism.

He also appreciated China's active participation in the G20 summit and lauded the constructive role that China played at the meeting.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, the Iranian nuclear issue, and the Doha round of trade talks and agreed to keep close communication on these issues.

Sino-Japanese relations

On Saturday, Hu held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and said this has been a very important year in the development of the Sino-Japanese relations.

"I went to Japan twice and Japanese prime ministers visited China twice. The two sides signed the fourth political document," said Hu.

The frequent exchange of visits and communications has given a strong impetus to the development of the Sino-Japanese relations, he said.

Hu said the Sino-Japanese relationship has embarked on a new historical starting point and embraces important opportunities for further development.

China is ready to work together with Japan to push forward the sound and stable growth of their strategic and mutually beneficial relations.

Aso expressed the wish that leaders of the two countries will continue to maintain their frequent visits and contacts. The two leaders also exchanged views on ways to deal with the international financial crisis.

Aso expressed appreciation at China's latest 10 major policy measures aimed to boost domestic demand and stimulate economic growth.

Aso said these was the right approach amid the US and European economic slowdown and been well received by the international community.

Amid the spreading international financial crisis, China and Japan, as two big world economies, should enhance exchange of information and play an active part in safeguarding financial stability and economic growth of Asia and the world at large.

Xinhua

(China Daily 11/24/2008 page6)