FM urges Japanese PM to stop shrine visit (chinadaily.com.cn/Agencies) Updated: 2006-03-07 16:35
Taiwan question 'biggest factor' in China-US ties
Chinese President Hu Jintao is going to visit the United States shortly,
confirmed the Chinese FM.
Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing speaks at the press conference in Beijing March 7, 2006.
[Xinhua] | It is the first time that Hu visits the
United States as Chinese president. Both sides are busy preparing for the visit,
Li said.
"We are ready to work with the US side to strengthen mutual understanding,
expand common ground, deepen mutual trust, promote cooperation, and properly
settle our differences with a view of promoting the sound development of
bilateral relations," Li pointed out.
Meanwhile, Li stressed that the Taiwan question is the "biggest" factor
affecting Sino-US relations, adding that the US side "should not give wrong
messages to Taiwan".
"We hope the US side adhere to the one-China policy and observe the
three Sino-US joint communiques, has a clear understanding of the dangerous
nature of Taiwan secessionist forces and activities", Li said while responding
to a question on Sino-US relations.
The minister called for joint efforts by the two countries to maintain the
development of the China-US relations and the peace and stability across the
Taiwan Straits.
Trade friction should not be politicized
China will
make efforts to reduce its trade surplus with the United States, and the US side
should not politicize the bilateral trade frictions, Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing told the press conference.
"China is not pursuing a trade surplus. We are willing, and will continue, to
take active measures to gradually resolve the issue of imbalanced trade," Li
said.
China put its trade surplus with the US last year at $114.2 billion. The
United States, which also counts goods shipped through Hong Kong, put the
surplus at US$201.6 billion.
The two countries should solve trade problems under the framework of the
World Trade Organization, Li said.
Putin to visit China this month
At the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, Russia's President Vladimir
Putin is scheduled to visit China later this month, Chinese Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing revealed to reporters on Tuesday.
"The visit is expected to boost the all-round development of the Sino-Russian
Strategic Partnership of Cooperation, and facilitate world peace, stability and
development," he said.
Li said during Putin's visit, the two presidents would jointly attend the
opening ceremony of "the Year of Russia" in China and a Sino-Russia high-level
business forum.
The two sides would also issue political documents and sign a series of
mutual cooperative treaties.
Li made the remarks at a press conference held on the sidelines of the
ongoing annual full session of the Tenth National People's Congress, China's top
legislature.
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