Former Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen said in Beijing on Nov.14 that China and the United States should properly handle differences and sensitive issues concerning Taiwan, human rights and trade frictions, in a bid to safeguard the overall situation of bilateral ties.

    Addressing a symposium on China-US relations, Qian noted the Taiwan issue is connected with the core interest of China, which the country concerns most.

    It is in the interests of both China and the US to oppose and check "Taiwan independence" and safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan straits, Qian said.

    He said China is deeply concerned with the US selling advanced weapons to Taiwan and furthering military ties with Taiwan, as they would only send wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" force and is detrimental to the stability across the Taiwan Straits.

    "I hope the US will stick to its stance of opposing 'Taiwan independence', be cautious in action and give no chance to the 'Taiwan independence' force," said Qian.

    On economic and trade frictions and disputes between the two countries, Qian said such frictions and disputes are inevitable ata time when China-US economic and trade cooperation is expanding fast, which, however, should not be enlarged and politicized, he added.

    Qian said the two sides should properly solve each other's concerns through dialogue and on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and common development, so as to promote the healthy development of economic cooperation and achieve win-win results of mutual benefits.

    Qian also suggested both sides conduct dialogue and cooperationin democracy and human rights issues, on the basis of equality and mutual respect, and make them the positive factors for bilateral ties.

    By doing so, the two countries will set a good example for other countries and civilizations to co-exist peacefully and seek common develoment, he said.