Chinese Foreign Ministry said Thursday that Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to the United States was a "complete success", which will surely exert an "important and positive influence" on the growth of Sino-US ties.

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

At a regular press conference held in Beijing, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao said that during Premier Wen's short but compactly-organized stay in the United States, the two sides reached consensus on a broad range of issues and the visit was very substantial.

During the visit, the spokesman noted, Wen had an in-depth exchange of views with President George W. Bush and other US leaders on bilateral ties, and reached wide-ranging and important consensus on further promoting the growth of the constructive and cooperative relations between China and the United States.

The two sides agreed that strengthening their reciprocal cooperation is in the fundamental interests of the people of bothnations and conducive to the world peace and stability.

Liu said that on the Taiwan issue, leaders from both sides agreed that it is of pivotal significance to safeguard the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

Premier Wen reiterated the Chinese government's basic policy on the issue, and President Bush promised that the United States will adhere to the one-China policy, abide by the three US-China joint communiques and opposes Taiwan's independence or any unilaterallactions that seek to alter the status quo.

The Chinese side appreciates the US stance on the Taiwan issue, he noted.

The leaders of both countries also fully exchanged views over the further expansion and deepening of the Sino-US trade and economic cooperation, Liu said.

Wen proposed resolving the problem of trade deficit through reciprocity, equal consultation and further growth of trade and economic cooperation, and Bush voiced his full endorsement. They also decided to upgrade their commerce and trade joint committee and hold the committee's first meeting next spring.

While staying in the U.S., Wen also had extensive contact with American people from all walks of life, Liu said. The premier briefed them on China's situation in all spheres, which further enhanced the mutual understanding of the people of the two nations.

Relevant departments of the two nations also held consultations and reached consensus on issues including trade and economic cooperation, transportation, plant quarantine and environment protection. Liu said they also signed agreements on navigation and transpiration cooperation.

In addition, the two sides also agreed to hold the sixth annual consultations on defense affairs between their vice-defense ministers and the fourth counter-terrorism consultations early next year in Beijing, the spokesman said.

Stance on Taiwan Reiterated

The spokesman also reiterated the Chinese government's stance on the Taiwan issue at the press conference.

Liu said China will "do its utmost, with utmost sincerity," to bring about peaceful reunification of the country, by quoting what Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told US President George W. Bush during their talks on Tuesday.

Wen Jiabao said that China's fundamental policy on the Taiwan issue is "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems," according to Liu.

The Chinese premier also said China respects the desire of people in Taiwan for democracy, but China "can absolutely not accept and tolerate" the attempts of the Taiwan authorities to use democracy as an excuse and attempt to resort to a "defensive referendum" to split China.

Maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is conducive to the interests of the people on both sides of the strait, Wen said, adding that only when "Taiwan independence" is firmly opposed, can peace and stability be maintained.

The mainland of China will not give up its efforts for peaceful reunification of the country as long as there is a glimmer of hope of resolving the issue peacefully, Wen said.

Bush said during his talks with Wen Jiabao that the United States understands China's concern over the Taiwan issue, and that the US government adheres to the "one-China" policy, remains committed to the three Sino-US joint communiques and opposes "Taiwan independence".

The United States does not approve of the recent messages from Taiwan to change its status quo, Bush said, adding that the United States opposes any unilateral attempt to change the status quo of Taiwan.

Liu said the Chinese side appreciates the active stance of the United States on the Taiwan issue.

Liu also stressed China has always opposed the Taiwan Relations Act which is unilaterally set by the US side and runs counter to the three Sino-US joint communiques.

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