U.S. President George W. Bush said on Tuesday he opposes the apparent interest of Taiwan's leaders in taking steps toward independence.

U.S. President George W. Bush listens as China's Premier Wen Jiabao (L) makes a point during remarks to the international press in the Oval Office of the White House, December 9, 2003. [Reuters]

Meeting with reporters in the Oval Office after a 40-minute meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Bush said he had told the premier, ``The United States policy is one China.''

``We oppose any unilateral decision by either China or Taiwan to change the status quo,'' Bush said, ``and the comments and actions made by the leader of Taiwan indicate that he may be willing to make decisions unilaterally, to change the status quo, which we oppose.''

It was the administration's strongest statement to date in opposition to Taiwan's plan to conduct a defensive referendum on March 20.

Bush said his administration sees this as an indirect step toward independence.

Wen said China's goal is to pursue peaceful reunification with Taiwan, ``as long as a glimmer of hope'' exists.

``Stability can only be maintained through unswerving opposition to pro-independence activities,'' Wen said. He said China sought to maintain a system of ``one country, two systems.''

``We will do our utmost to bring about national reunification through peaceful means,'' Wen said.

``The Chinese government respects the desire of people in Taiwan for democracy, but we must point out that the (Taiwanese leaders) are only using democracy as an excuse and attempt to resort to defensive referendums to split Taiwan away from China,'' he said.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao shakes hands with U.S. President George W. Bush in the oval office of the White House, December 9, 2003. [Reuters]

``Such separatist activities are what the Chinese side can absolutely not accept.''

On the issue of stability on the Korean peninsula, the United States hopes to be able to negotiate an end to North Korea's nuclear weapons program, with assistance from China.

At present, China is attempting to reconvene six-party talks aimed at resolving the impasse. Bush expressed appreciation to China for starting the process this past summer.

``The goal is to dismantle a nuclear weapons program in a verifiable  and irreversible way, and that is a clear message that we are sending to the North Koreans,'' Bush said. ``We will continue to work with China and the other countries involved to solve this issue peacefully.''

The other countries, aside from China and the United States, are the two Koreas, Japan and Russia.

In response to a question on trade disputes, Wen said China has been taking steps to reduce the U.S. trade deficit, adding that he planned to submit a proposal on this issue during his luncheon meeting with Bush and other officials. He gave no details on what was in the proposal.

U.S.-China trade has come a long way since 25 years ago, Wen said. The combined total was a mere US$2.5 billion a year, compared with the current figure of more than US$100 billion, he said.

``We have to admit, though, in our economic and trade relationship, problems still exist, and mainly the U.S. trade deficit with China,'' Wen said.

``The Chinese government takes this problem seriously, and has taken measures to improve the situation,'' said the premier.

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