Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met US Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington Monday evening, and they exchanged views on bilateral relations and other issues.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao speaks before a dinner with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, at the State Department in Washington, December 8, 2003. Premier Wen Jiabao will meet with President George W. Bush December 9 at the White House. [Reuters]

Tremendous progress has been made in the development of the Sino-US relations in the past 30-odd years despite twists and turns, Wen said.

Mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation between the two countries has reached an unprecedented height, and exchanges and cooperation in other fields are also expanding steadily, he added.

The history of the Sino-US relations shows that the two countries share a wide range of common interests and there is a solid foundation for bilateral cooperation, the Chinese premier said. The steady development of the Sino-US relations not only benefits the two peoples, but is conducive to world peace and stability, he said.

China is ready to work together with the United States to push forward the development of the constructive and cooperative relations between the two countries, Wen said.

Wen reiterated the Chinese government's principled stand on the Taiwan issue, stressing that "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" is China's fundamental policy in resolving the Taiwan issue.

China is, with the greatest sincerity and utmost efforts, working for the eventual reunification of the motherland through peaceful means, the Chinese premier said. However, the Chinese government will never tolerate the Taiwan authorities' attempt to separate Taiwan from China by holding the so-called "referendums," using democracy only as a cover, he stressed.

The Chinese government urges the US government to honor its commitments on the Taiwan issue, stick to its one-China policy, abide by the three Joint Communiques between China and the United States and oppose Taiwan independence, Wen said.

Powell spoke highly of the rapid development of the US-China relations in recent years. He stressed that Premier Wen's current visit to the United States is of great significance, which will have an important and positive impact on future relations between the two nations.

Powell said the US government recognizes the importance of the Taiwan issue to China and is concerned about some messages coming from Taiwan recently.

He reiterated that the US government adheres to its one-China policy and abides by the three Joint Communiques, adding that it fundamentally does not support Taiwan independence.

During their meeting, the Chinese premier and the US secretary of state also exchanged views on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. The six-party talks in Beijing has helped bring closer the positions of relevant parties, Premier Wen said, adding that further efforts are needed to push forward the process of the six-party talks in a bid to find a peaceful solution to the issue and maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Powell thanked China for its efforts to get the six-party talks moving and expressed the hope that the talks would serve as the framework for a peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue.

After the meeting, Premier Wen attended a banquet hosted by Powell. In their speeches at the banquet, both Wen and Powell pledged joint efforts to promote the healthy and steady development of the Sino-US relations.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, US Secretary of the Treasury John W. Snow and Assistant of the President for National Security Affairs Condoleezza Rice also attended the banquet.

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