Visiting Chinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen said on March 20 that China and the United States are both duty bound to develop a stable relationship between them, for such a relationship serves the interest of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the common interest of the two countries.

In a speech entitled "China and Asia in the New Century," delivered at a luncheon hosted in his honor by Asia Society in New York, Qian said the Taiwan question is the most important and sensitive issue in China-U.S. relations, and that it must be taken seriously and handled properly.

Qian said: "There is only one China in the world. Both the mainland and Taiwan are part of China. China's sovereignty and territorial integrity brook no division."

He said the Chinese Government stands for peaceful reunification. "That is to say, we will try to resolve the Taiwan question through peaceful means. This conforms to the interests of the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits and the interests of all people, including Americans," Qian said.

"It is fair to say that nobody is more eager to see a  peaceful resolution than we are. But we alone cannot achieve it," he said.

Qian went on to say that "the Chinese Government is ready to work together with the U.S. Government for a healthy and steady development of our relations on the basis of the three China-U.S. Joint communiques."

"We appreciate the consistent U.S. statement on its support of the One-China policy. We have reasons to expect the U.S. to support China's peaceful reunification," he said.

He also said China and the United States have no reason to become rivals or enemies. "We have enough reasons to become friends and partners," he noted.