On March 21, 2001, visiting Vice Premier Qian Qichen of the State Council held talks with US Secretary of State Collin Powell in Washinton, during which they had an extensive exchange of views on China-US relations and international issues of mutual concern.

Extending welcome to Qian on behalf of the US government, Powell said that the US government attaches great importance to its relations with China and is committed to the promotion of US-China relations. He stressed that the US side appreciates China’s dynamic reform and opening-up, noting that such a policy has enabled China to score incredibly tremendous progress in such a short period of time. He added that there exist extensive contacts between the two countries and the development of bilateral ties is of special significance.

Qian pointed out that China-US relations bear on the fundamental interests of the two countries and the wellbeing of the two peoples. Both being Permanent Members of the UN Security Council, China and the US assume important responsibilities for the maintenance of world peace and the promotion of common prosperity. He went on to say that through the long-term efforts of both sides, China-US relations have registered progress in vast areas, citing the effective cooperation between the two countries in such major issues as tiding over the Asian financial crisis, weapon non-proliferation, environmental protection, combating drug trafficking, which has played an important role in maintaining regional and international peace and stability and in advancing the common interests of both countries.

Qian said that China is very pleased that President Jiang Zemin and President Bush have written letters to each other and have kept very closely in touch and that they have also reached important consensus on promoting bilateral ties. President Bush has decided to attend the upcoming APEC Informal Leadership Meeting to be held in Shanghai this October, during which he and President Jiang will meet for the first time and after which he will visit Beijing. This is of special significance to the promotion of bilateral ties in the new century. He noted that his ongoing visit to the US is aimed at implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of states in the spirits of enhancing mutual understanding and expanding cooperation.

Powell said that President Bush looks forward to attending this year’s APEC Informal Leadership Meeting to be held in Shanghai and to visiting Beijing afterwards. The US side is making good preparations for this upcoming event.

On the question of Taiwan, Qian stressed that this question is the most important and sensitive core question in China-US relations. He noted that the Democratic and the Republican parties have pledged to implement the One China policy and honor the three China-US Joint Communiqués over the years. It is China’s hope that the US side can handle the question of arms sale to Taiwan with prudence according to the three communiqués and the August 17 Communiqué so as to save damages to China-US relations.

Powell said that the Bush Administration will continue to pursue the One China policy of the previous administrations over the years and strictly adhere to the three joint communiqués. He noted that principles enshrined in these three communiqués define US’s China policy, which remains unchanged.

The two sides agreed that to have China in WTO at an early date conforms to the common interests of the two peoples and the entire world population and pledged their efforts in this regard.

The two sides also said that they will step up their cooperation in such areas as environmental protection and fighting drug trafficking in both bilateral and multilateral occasions.

The two sides also expounded their respective positions on human rights and other issues. They also exchanged views on some regional and international issues.

Qian invited Powell to visit China at his convenience, for which Powell expressed his gratitude. He said that he would love to visit China someday.

Both sides agreed that the talks have been very beneficial and constructive.