Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (L) shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during their meeting in New York of U.S., Sept. 23, 2007.(Xinhua Photo)

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met in New York Sunday on the sidelines of the 62nd session of United Nations General Assembly.

Yang said that China-U.S. relations have maintained a good momentum of development, with close high-level exchanges and ever deepening cooperation of mutual benefit, and fruitful results in consultations and coordination on major international and regional issues.

Yang, who is attending the UN General Assembly session for the first time since assuming the post of foreign minister, suggested that Beijing and Washington implement the important consensus reached by Chinese President Hu Jintao and U.S. President George W. Bush on developing bilateral ties mainly from four aspects.

First, Yang said, the two sides should stick to proceeding from a strategic height and assuming a comprehensive and forward-looking perspective to advance bilateral ties along a correct path of constructive cooperation, and avoid being swayed by narrow and short-term interests.

Second, the two sides should strengthen dialogue and consultation and manage relevant mechanisms in a comprehensive way,and consolidate mutual strategic trust through the Strategic Economic Dialogue and the Strategic Dialogue.

Thirdly, both sides should deepen and widen common interest, strengthen cooperation in such fields as economics and trade and the fight against terrorism, explore cooperation in newer areas like energy and climate change, and deepen consultation and coordination in major international and regional issues.

Fourthly, Yang said, both sides should respect each other and heed each other's concerns, properly handle their differences, refrain from doing things that harm the other side's core interests, so as to ensure a sound and stable development of bilateral relations.

Rice, for her part, said the two sides should implement in earnest the good consensus reached by presidents Bush and Hu in their two meetings this year.

She said the two sides should broaden common ground and deepen cooperation by taking advantage of the Strategic Economic Dialogue and the Strategic Dialogue, and continue to consult and cooperate with each other on UN affairs and climate change and other major issues.

On the question of Taiwan, Yang said that the Taiwan authorities, in defiance of the opposition of the international community, has recently been obstinately engaging in separatist activities, pushing for referendum on the so-called "Taiwan's application for the UN membership" and "UN membership in the name of Taiwan."

They have not hesitated to provocate hostilities and create crisis across the Taiwan Straits, and the cross-Straits situation is highly sensitive and complicated, he said.

Therefore, it is very important for China and the United States to enhance their coordination and cooperation on the question of Taiwan so that the cross-Straits situation does not develop out of control.

China appreciates the U.S. reiteration of its adhering to the One-China policy, abiding by the three Sino-U.S. joint communiqués and opposing the Taiwan authorities' proposed referendum on 'Taiwan's application for UN membership,'" Yang said, voicing hope that the U.S. will work with China to curb "Taiwan independence" separatist activities in a bid to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and protect the common interests between China and the United States.

Rice said that the United States holds a responsible position on the question of Taiwan, adheres to the One-China policy and abides by the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques and opposes comments and actions aimed at changing the status quo of Taiwan unilaterally.

Yang and Rice also exchanged views on major international and regional issues including Iran's nuclear issue and the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsular, and agreed to maintain close consultation and coordination on related matters.  

Editor: Donald