China is willing to make concerted efforts with the United States and promote the Sino-US constructive and cooperative relations, said Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing on Thursday.
  
Hu Jintao made the remark in a telephone conversation with US President George W. Bush.

Bush said during the conversation that his country attaches great importance to US-China relations, reiterating that the US government would abide by one-China policy, observe the Three Communiques between the United States and China, and oppose any unilateral change to the straits status.

The US stance on this issue will never change, Bush stressed.

Bush also spoke highly of the current development of the economic and trade ties between the United States and China. He said he hoped that the cooperation between the two sides will achieve constant progress.

Hu Jintao said he appreciated Bush's reiterating his efforts to develop long-term and steady bilateral ties with China. Hu noted that maintaining and developing sound Sino-US ties is in accordance with the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples. It is also conducive for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.

China is willing to increase dialogue and cooperation with the United States and properly handle their mutual concerns to further promote the bilateral ties, Hu said.

As to the Taiwan issue, Hu said the Chinese government's stances very clear. China will exert the utmost efforts with its utmost sincerity to resolve the Taiwan issue by peaceful means, but will never tolerate "the independence of Taiwan." No one is permitted to separate Taiwan from China. 

Hu stressed that the separatist activities of the "Taiwan independence elements" remain the biggest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

"We hope that the United States would observe its commitment to adhere to one-China policy, follow the three Sino-US Joint Communiques, oppose Taiwan independence by not selling advanced weapons to Taiwan and not sending wrong signals to the Taiwan authorities," Hu said.

China and the United States have maintained good momentum in economic and trade cooperation.  Hu said he hoped that the US would take more active actions in relaxing restrictions on export to China and recognizing the full market economy status of China.

Hu said the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries would develop better with the two sides' joint efforts.

The two heads of state also exchanged views on other major issues of common concern.
 
(Xinhua News Agency October 8, 2004)