President George W. Bush took the opportunity to express his thanks to Chinese President Jiang Zemin for China’s condolences after last week’s terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. He said that the United States was willing to strengthen its cooperation with China and the rest of the world in fighting against terrorism.

President Bush also congratulated China on its forthcoming accession to the World Trade Organization. He said that both the United States and China are great countries and that his visit to China this autumn would have profound significance. President Bush is expected to attend an APEC economic leaders meeting in Shanghai next month, when he will meet with Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said that China attaches great importance to the relations with the United States and he believed that the forthcoming meeting between top leaders of the two countries this autumn would be surely conducive to improve the bilateral relations.

In talks with US Secretary of State Colin Powell, Tang Jiaxuan said the terrorist attacks were not only disastrous to the Americans, but also a challenge to the world’s peace and security. The two sides reached a five-point consensus:

-- Both sides will step up their preparations for President Bush’s upcoming visit to China and work towards a successful summit between Bush and Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

-- Consultations and cooperation will be shortly held between experts of the two countries on the anti-terrorist issue, and such efforts will be increased in the UN Security Council.

-- Diplomatic officials from both countries will hold vice ministerial meetings early next year on Asian and international situations.

-- Both sides will increase cooperation to curb the spread of deadly disease AIDS.

-- The governments of the two countries will hold dialogues shortly about human rights according to the reached consensus.

Colin Powell emphasized that in dealing with the Taiwan issue, the United States continues to stick to the “One China” principle and the three joint communiques between China and US.

Minister Tang also met National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice on the same day. Rice said that the United States hopes to establish a powerful and fruitful relation with China and that the two countries should strengthen cooperation in promoting peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region.

(china.org.cn 09/22/2001)