China and the United States reaffirmed their agreement on Monday to continue to work towards resumption of six-party talks and to support a one-China policy.

During the second leg of his three-nation Asian tour, US Secretary of State Colin Powell made clear his country’s stance on both issues in meetings and talks with Chinese leaders.

Powell arrived in Beijing Sunday afternoon after winding up his Tokyo visit and would fly on to Seoul to continue his round of Asian meetings. Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing all met with Powell.

"What we agreed on today is the need for the six-party framework to continue," Powell told a press conference after his meeting with Hu. "I hope that as a result of our conversations today, both of us will energize the other members of the six-party framework to resolve the outstanding issues that keep us from setting a date for a meeting."

By June this year, China had hosted three rounds of six-party talks to try to resolve the Korean peninsula nuclear issue. But the fourth round scheduled for September failed to take place.

Praising China's active efforts in pushing for talks, Powell said he is confident that they are totally behind the process. "We reaffirmed our commitment today to the six-party talks and hope the next round will be held in the recent future," he said.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) has criticized the US for its hostile policy toward the country, calling it "a master key" for settling the nuclear issue.

"We wish the US side would go further to adopt a flexible and practical attitude on the issue," said Li. "China will make efforts to push for a new round of six-party talks at the earliest date in a bid to carry on the hard-earned peaceful discussion process."

Powell also reiterated commitment to a one-China policy based on the three Sino-US joint communiqués, saying the US will oppose any action aimed at Taiwan independence.

Hu said the activities of pro-independence forces aiming to split the country remain at the root of the cross-straits tension and the greatest threat to peace and stability in the region.

Recognizing the US’ consistent one-China policy, Hu said they should appreciate the serious harm of these activities and turn words into concrete actions.

"We will not compromise on issues concerning national sovereignty and territorial integrity," said Wen in his meeting with Powell.

Regarding Sino-US relations, both sides affirmed their sound development. "The relations progressed a great deal in the last four years, the two sides held good and constructive talks on trade and economic issues," Powell said.

As for the abduction of Chinese engineers in Pakistan, Powell expressed his condolence to the victims and their families.

The two sides had candid and open discussions on human rights and they agreed to start talks about resuming dialogue on these issues.

(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2004)