During a meeting with Bush in Evian, France, Sunday on the sidelines of an informal South-North leaders dialogue meeting, President Hu said China would work together with the United States to push forward the Sino-US constructive relations of cooperation.

As two important nations in the world, China and the United States bear major responsibility for maintaining peace and stability in the world and promoting common development of mankind, said Hu.

He added that the two sides have extensive mutual benefits and the basis for cooperation on issues such as the fight against terrorism, crackdown on cross-border crimes, promotion of global economic growth, disease treatment and control and environmental protection.

Bush said the US-Chinese relations have enjoyed steady and healthy development.

He promised that his country is willing to enhance cooperation with China in the fight against terrorism, economy, trade and other fields and will continue to be devoted to developing constructive relations of cooperation with China.

Referring to China's fight against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), President Hu said good results have been achieved in the effort thanks to decisive measures by the government.

He expressed the belief that after a certain period, China will effectively control the epidemic and eventually win the battle against it.

Bush spoke highly of China's great efforts and outstanding achievements in the fight against SARS and said the United States would continue to offer support and help to China in this regard.

During the talks, President Hu also reiterated China's principled stand on the Taiwan issue.

He stressed that the Taiwan issue is always the most important and most sensitive core issue in the Sino-US relations. Upholding the basic principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems," the Chinese government will do its utmost to strive for reunification through peaceful means.

The problem now, he said, is that the Taiwan authorities reject the one-China principle and the "pro-independence forces" in Taiwan are still carrying out all-out separatist activities. And this has been the fundamental reason behind the tension in the Taiwan Straits region and the stagnation of cross-straits relations, he noted.

Hu expressed the hope that the United States will strictly abide by its promise on the Taiwan issue, handle the issue properly and not send wrong signals to the "pro-independence forces."

On his part, Bush said his government will continue to follow the one-China policy, abide by the three joint communiques between the two countries and oppose "independence of Taiwan." He stressed that this policy has not changed and will not change.

On the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Bush praised China's positive efforts leading to the convening of Beijing talks in late April. Hu also briefed Bush on China's stance toward the issue.

The two leaders said the two countries will dedicate themselves to safeguarding peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and support the non-nuclearization of the peninsula. Problems should be solved peacefully through dialogue, communication and cooperation, they added.

Bush invited Hu to visit the United States and Hu accepted the invitation with gratitude. Hu also invited Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney to visit China. Bush replied that he will be glad to visit China again and Cheney is looking forward to his trip to China.

(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2003)