Meeting on Monday with former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in Beijing, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Wu Bangguo said that China and the United States should view bilateral relations from a long-term, strategic perspective enabling them to build dialogue, trust and cooperation.

Wu praised Kissinger for his contributions in helping to improve Sino-US relations for many years, saying this relationship is "maintaining a momentum of positive growth."

In recent years, Sino-US relations have progressed apace taking into account its global significance, Wu said, adding that a good relationship between the two nations was beneficial to both peoples, but would also help secure peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the whole world.

Wu said that the two world powers should work together on common interests and properly resolve disputes and concerns.

Turning to the Taiwan issue, Wu reiterated that it concerns China's core interests and those of 1.3 billion Chinese people.

Wu extended the appreciation of the central government for the Bush administration's adherence to the one-China policy and the three US-China communiques opposing "Taiwan independence", Wu said.

As China's long-standing friend, Kissinger, the 84-year-old foreign policy expert who has personally witnessed meetings between eight US presidents and four generations of Chinese leaders, spoke of his delight at seeing China blossom in so many sectors. 

He echoed Wu's view that the United States and China share extensive common interests and that their fruitful relationship is essential to a peaceful and prosperous world, he said.

Kissinger is here on a goodwill visit at the invitation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

(Xinhua News Agency April 3, 2007)