Enhanced Mutual Understanding and Trust towards a Conservative and Cooperative Relationship between China and the United States

The question of Taiwan has always been the most important and most sensitive issue at the heart of China-US relations. Properly handling this question is the key to promoting our constructive and cooperative relations. If any trouble occurs on the Taiwan question, it would be difficult for China-US relations to move forward, and a retrogression may even occur. The question of Taiwan is China's internal matter and should be resolved by the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. Since Nixon took office as president, the successive US administrations, both Republican and Democratic, have been committed to the One-China policy and the Three Joint Communiqués. That serves the interests of both China and the US, and is an act of wisdom and political vision. Selling sophisticated weapons to Taiwan or upgrading US-Taiwan relations is inconsistent with the foregoing commitments, serving neither peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits nor China-US relationship and the common interests of the two countries. It is our hope that the US side will strictly honor its commitments to the Chinese side and play a constructive role in China's peaceful reunification.

For various reasons, China and the US do not see eye to eye on some issues. Yet we can, through dialogue on an equal footing, increase our understanding, expand areas of agreement and gradually reduce our differences.

Fourth, the two sides should increase dialogue and cooperation on major issues concerning world peace and security.

Terrorism is a public enemy of mankind. China has always opposed terrorism of all forms. Since the September 11 incident, China and the US have had a very good cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism. We stand ready to maintain consultation and cooperation with the US side on a reciprocal and mutually beneficial basis.

To prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is of great importance to the maintenance of world peace. China is firm and unambiguous in its approach to nonproliferation, which is also consistent with US objectives on this issue. We are ready to step up cooperation with the US side in this field.

It is in the common interests of China and the US to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, South Asia and the Middle East. In recent years the two countries have conducted effective dialogue and cooperation in these fields. The two sides should stay in contact and strengthen cooperation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is after going through many twists and turns that China-US relationship has achieved what we see today. So we should cherish it all the more. It may encounter ups and downs again, but I am convinced that the Chinese and American peoples will overcome interruptions and difficulties on the strength of their sincerity and wisdom, thus writing a new chapter in the development of bilateral relations.

Thank you.