Qian said Sino-US relations were developing with a good momentum, adding President Jiang Zemin's visit to the United States in October was of great significance to the promotion of the constructive and cooperative relationship.

Consultation and cooperation between the two countries on major international and regional issues were in the interests of both sides, and were conducive to world peace and stability, he said.

The two sides were expected to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields and advance bilateral ties, he stressed.

Armitage said the successful meeting of the two heads of state injected new impetus into the development of bilateral relations.

The United States was willing to join with China to increase high- and lower-level contacts, expand cooperation in various fields including on key international and regional issues, and maintain the momentum in bilateral relations, he said.

Armitage briefed Qian on the US stance on Iraq and said the United States hoped to keep close consultation and coordination with China on the issue.

Qian stressed that China maintained that Iraq should strictly abide by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the Iraq issue should be solved peacefully within the UN framework, and such a solution would be in the best interests of all parties.

The parties should carefully analyze the report presented to the United Nations by the Iraqi government, and the UN Security Council should propose any action according to the evaluation of the results of weapons inspections, he said.

China is willing to keep close contact and coordination with the United States as well as other members of the Security Council, Qian added.

The two sides also exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and other issues of common concern.

(Xinhua News Agency December 12, 2002)