US President George W.
Bush said on Wednesday that the United States is committed to
promoting relations with China and the military ties between the
two countries.
Bush made the remark
during a meeting with visiting Chinese Defense Minister Cao
Gangchuan, who is also vice chairman of China's Central
Military Commission and a state councilor.
Extending welcome to
Cao's visit, the president said the US side attaches importance and
is committed to promoting Sino-US relations and the bilateral
military ties. He added that he will continue to give support for
the development of relations between the armies of the two
countries.
Bush recalled his recent
meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Bangkok, Thailand,
which he said has produced positive results and is of great
significance.
Bush said he is looking
forward to the forthcoming visit to the United States by Chinese
Premier Wen Jiabao. He noted that it is beneficial to the two sides
and the world at large for the two countries to enhance mutual
understanding and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and that
the US administration and he himself will continue to work for the
development of
Sino-US relations.
For his part, the
Chinese defense minister said the improvement and development of
Sino-US relations not only serves the fundamental interests of the
peoples of the two countries, but also contributes to promoting
peace, stability and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the
whole world.
Meetings between heads
of state of the two countries and high-level exchanges of visit
have tremendously enhanced the development of the constructive and
cooperative relations between China and the United States, he
said.
Continuous progress has
been made in recent years in bilateral exchange and cooperation
between the armies of the two countries, thanks to efforts made by
the two sides and support given by leaders of the two countries, he
said.
Describing Tuesday's
talks with US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld as positive,
constructive and fruitful, Cao said he believes that greater
progress will be achieved in relations between the two armies
through concerted efforts, as the two countries share broad and
important common interests.
Cao, who on Wednesday
also met with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Condoleezza
Rice, the presidential security adviser, arrived here Monday for
the first visit by a Chinese defense minister since
1996.
(Xinhua News Agency
October 30, 2003)