China is resolutely opposed to the US selling arms to Taiwan and
incorporating Taiwan into its planned missile defense system, said
President Hu Jintao
during his Monday meeting with visiting US Secretary of State Colin
Powell.
Hu told Powell that China hopes that Washington will uphold its
promises on the Taiwan question and abide by the three
Sino-US Joint
Communiqués, according to a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.
Describing the current situation across the Taiwan Straits as
very complicated and sensitive, Hu said the root cause for the
tension lies with attempt to separate Taiwan from China. The
"Taiwan independence" forces' separatist activities are the
greatest threat to peace and stability in the region.
China has made solemn representations to the United States on
many occasions and demanded that it fully recognize the danger of
selling advanced weapons to Taiwan.
Early this month, Hu spoke on the telephone with US President
George W. Bush, saying that China hopes to resolve the Taiwan
question by peaceful means, but will not tolerate "Taiwan
independence."
The assertion came as Taiwan considers a purchase of US$18
billion worth of US missiles and other weapons.
During Monday's meetings with Chinese leaders, Powell said the
US will adhere to the one-China policy and the three joint
communiqués. He stated that the US does not support any effort
aimed at "Taiwan independence."
Powell said the US government values highly its ties with China,
which have a direct influence on the stability of Asia and the
world at large.
On economic relations, Premier Wen
Jiabao expressed appreciation of the American decision to
reject an investigation on the exchange rate of the renminbi.
On September 9, the office of the US Trade Representative
released a statement saying that the administration had rejected a
petition filed by several labor unions requesting an investigation
into China's foreign currency exchange rate policy under Section
301 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Wen reassured Power that China will continue to implement its
World Trade Organization commitments and will strictly protect
intellectual property rights.
He added that China hopes the US will take positive action on a
series of bilateral trade cooperation issues, such as export
controls.
Powell left Beijing for Seoul on Monday afternoon to continue
his Asian tour.
(China Daily October 26, 2004)