President Bill Clinton said on October 10 that he is looking forward to the upcoming visit to the United States of Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

Meeting at the White House with Liu Huaqiu, director of the Office of Foreign Affairs under the State Council of China, Clinton said that he will discuss with his Chinese counterpart US-China relations and world situation over the next 30 to 50 years.

He hoped that Jiang's visit will help build up American confidence in future US-China relationship and prove that the relationship is characterized by partnership not conflict, cooperation not competition.

He also hoped that both sides should continue to join hands to make Jiang's visit a success.

President Clinton asked Liu to convey his cordial greetings and best wishes to President Jiang Zemin. On his part, Liu forwarded Jiang's sincere greetings to Clinton.

Liu, who came to Washington in preparation for Jiang's visit scheduled late this month, said that the Presidents of China and the United States reached the consensus on establishing constructive and partnership relations between the two countries in view of the next century when they first met in Seattle in November 1993.

He expressed the belief that the upcoming state visit of President Jiang to the United States is of great significance and through joint efforts it will achieve positive results and push the bilateral ties into a new stage of development.

U.S. Vice President Al Gore and President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Samuel Berger were present at the meeting.