At a regular press briefing here in response to a related question, the spokesman said President Jiang left Beijing on Tuesday morning for a working visit to the United States.

During his visit, President Jiang and US president George W. Bush would have in-depth discussions on bilateral relations and a range of questions of mutual concern, covering sensitive international issues and relating to the focus of world attention, Liu said.

Liu said he was convinced that the visit would increase mutual understanding and trust and boost the growth of constructive and cooperative ties between the two countries with the joint efforts of both sides.

The frequent in-depth exchanges of views between the two big nations were also helpful in solving some major international issues, the spokesman said.

( People's Daily October 23, 2002)