Chinese President Hu Jintao met on Sunday with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

  

Hu said US President George W. Bush sent Rice to China at the beginning of his second term, which indicates the importance attached by Bush and the US government to developing China-US relations.

  

Hu expressed his belief that Rice's China tour would be helpful for China and the United States to strengthen coordination in some issues of common concern, and would promote the China-US constructive and cooperative relations.

  

Rice said she came here to "emphasize how important the United States considers" the constructive relationship with China, which was growing and deepening. The two sides would discuss many important issues during this visit, she said.

  

People around the world are watching the "remarkable transformation" that is going on in China, Rice said.

  

The two sides would deal with bilateral relations and related issues "in the spirit of cooperation and respect", she said.

 

Premier Wen Jiabao also met on Sunday with Condoleezza Rice.

  

Wen said Rice's arrival will help plant new seeds for China-US friendship.

  

Wen recalled his "successful" visit to the United States in December, 2003, during which US President George W. Bush made clear that the US side would adhere to the one-China policy, and stand opposed to "Taiwan independence".

  

Wen attributed the success of that visit to Rice's efforts, adding his appreciation for the efforts made by President Bush, the US government and Rice.

  

Rice said she made this China tour soon after she became US Secretary of State with the hope to promote a "very strong relationship" with China that both sides have done.

  

"It is good for the world if we continue to have a constructive and good relationship between the United States and China." said Rice.

  

The US side hopes to conduct consultations in various fields with China, a confident and good partner, and such consultations are helpful for the Asian-Pacific region and the world, she said.

  

Rice visited China in 2002 and 2004, as the US national security adviser. But this is her first China tour since she became the top US diplomat in January.

  

China is the last leg of Rice's Asian tour, which has already taken her to India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

 

Analysts believe the China-US ties, the question of Taiwan and the resumption of six-party talks on the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue are among the priorities of her visit.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2005)