On the morning of April 14, 2004, President Hu Jintao met with US Vice President Cheney, who is here on a working visit in China, at the Diaoyutai State Guest Hotel.
Hu Jintao said that in recent years, exchanges of visits between leaders of the two countries have been frequent, cooperation between the two sides in many areas have achieved positive results and the two countries have maintained close consultation and coordination on major international and regional issues. To further develop the constructive and cooperative relations between the two countries is in line with the fundamental interests of both peoples and conducive to world and regional peace and stability. China is willing to make joint efforts with the US to steer the major orientation of the bilateral relations, enhance strategic dialogue, increase mutual political trust, address properly the concerns of each other, and deepen mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation so that the constructive and cooperative relations between the two countries can achieve sound, steady and deeper development.
Hu Jintao noted that separatist activities engaged in by forces seeking "Taiwan independence" is the largest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits. With regard to the Taiwan issue, the Chinese government sticks to the basic guideline of "peaceful reunification, and one country two systems" and will make every effort to resolve the issue peacefully. However, China will never tolerate "Taiwan independence". China hopes that the US will honor its commitments to China, stick to the one-China policy, abide by the letters and spirit of the three Sino-US joint communiqués, oppose "Taiwan independence" and any words or actions of leaders of Taiwan attempting to change the status quo and refrain from sending any erroneous message to the Taiwan authorities.
Cheney said that US-China relations have been developing smoothly. The two sides now not only have much closer bilateral ties but also conducted good cooperation on many major international issues. The US appreciates the active role of China in the resolution of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. Development of relations between the two countries have brought about huge tangible benefits to their people and is of great significance to world and regional peace and stability. The US will make efforts to enhance and enrich the relations.
Cheney stressed that the US government will continue to uphold the one-China policy in accordance with the three US-China joint communiqués, not support "Taiwan independence" and oppose to any action attempting to change the status quo of the Taiwan Straits unilaterally.
Cheney conveyed the greetings by President Bush to President Hu Jintao. President Hu asked Cheney to forward his regards to President Bush, saying that he is looking forward to meeting with President Bush again during the APEC Leaders' Informal Meeting to be held this year.
During the meeting, the two sides also exchanged views on other issues of common interest.
State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing as well as some other officials attended the meeting.