The Bush administration will continue to follow the one-China policy which has been pursued by successive previous administrations and will abide by the three joint communiques between the United States and China, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said in Washington on Wednesday.
Powell made the remarks when meeting with visiting Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue told a press briefing here.

Powell told Qian that the principles and contents contained in the three joint communiques have shaped US policy toward China and this policy has not changed.

During the talks, Qian said Sino-US relations are closely related with the fundamental interests of the two countries and well-being of the two peoples.

As permanent members of the UN Security Council, Qian said, both China and the United States shoulder important responsibilities in safeguarding world peace and promoting common prosperity.

Thanks to efforts by both sides, the two countries have achieved much progress in various areas and especially in recent years, the two sides have carried out very effective cooperation in overcoming the Asian financial crisis and also in weapons non- proliferation, environmental protection and the fight against drug- trafficking, the Chinese vice premier said.

The effective cooperation has not only promoted common interests of the two countries but also helped maintain regional and global peace and stability, he added.

On the Taiwan issue, Qian stressed that it is the most important and sensitive core issue in the Sino-US ties and all previous US administrations, both Republican and Democratic, have adhered to the one-China policy and abided by the three joint communiques between the two countries.

He also expressed the hope that the US side will continue to stick to the three joint communiques, especially the August 17, 1982, joint communique, and deal with arms sales to Taiwan in a cautious manner so that the issue will not harm the Sino-US relationship.

During the talks, the two sides agreed that China's early accession to the World Trade Organization is in the common interests of both countries and they will do their utmost to achieve that goal.

The two sides also expressed willingness to continue bilateral and multilateral cooperation on various issues and in various fields, such as environmental protection and fighting against drug- trafficking.

As to the National Missile Defense and human rights issues, both sides expressed their respective views during the talks.

Besides, Powell accepted with pleasure an invitation by Qian to visit China within this year.

(Xinhua 03/22/2001)