Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met in Beijing Tuesday with John Bolton, US under-secretary of state for arms control and international security affairs.  

Li said Sino-US relations had made new progress since last year. In-depth exchanges of views and coordinated cooperation on major international security issues were conducive to global and regional peace and stability, he said.

Bolton was here to attend the third round of Sino-US consultations on strategic security, multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation at vice foreign ministerial level.

Bolton commended the smooth growth of relations and agreed to enhance coordination and cooperation on issues related to international peace and security.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Bolton exchanged views on the Korean nuclear issue on Monday.

Also on Monday, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui held the third round of consultations with Bolton. The two sides believed the consultations were helpful to enhance mutual understanding, and agreed to further dialogue and cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency February 18, 2004)