Jiang met with a US congressional delegation led by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joe Biden in Beidaihe, Hebei Provincet Wednesday.

China and the US share common interests of ensuring world peace and promoting the global economy, Jiang told Biden.

The two nations also aim to halt arms proliferation, environmental deterioration and international crime, all of which make both sides motivated to improve dialogue and mutual understanding, the president said.

Jiang praised both peoples as great and proud, noting that Sino-US relations are getting better despite past difficulties since New China was founded.

“History teaches us that cooperation is beneficial for our two countries and confrontation is harmful for both,” he said.

For his part, Biden said he witnessed great changes in China since his last visit in 1979, before the opening-up reforms hit their stride.

He hopes to see a developed and powerful China because that will benefit both sides of the Pacific Ocean.

Biden led a delegation of lawmakers visiting at the invitation of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs.

Indeed, Jiang focused on US issues Wednesday, also meeting with Arthur Sulzberger, Jr., the chairman of the New York Times Co. and publisher of The New York Times. Sulzberger was accompanied by Executive Editor Joseph Lelyveld and other Times staffers.

Jiang conducted an interview with the Times during the meeting as well. In that talk, Jiang answered questions on Sino-US relations, US President George W. Bush’s planned anti-missile defense system, Sino-Russian relations, the Taiwan question and major issues concerning the development of the Communist Party of China and nation.

Vice-Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Chinese Ambassador to US Yang Jiechi were also present.

In related news, Biden met with Chinese Defence Minister Chi Haotian, who complained that Bush’s advocacy for a national missile defense system is unreasonable.

Chi, also a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and a State councilor, said China feels such a move is detrimental to trust among nations around the world.

On Taiwan, Chi said that China’s policy is based on peaceful reunification, “one country, two systems” scheme and President Jiang Zemin’s eight-point proposal.

As long as the one-China principle is adhered to, anything else is negotiable, Chi said.

Chi told Biden that the leader of Taiwan refuses to recognize the one-China principle and is eagerly beating the separatist drum for the island province.

He urged the US to honor the principles set forth in three Sino-US joint communiqués and not encourage separatist forces in on the island.

The Chinese Government attaches great importance to ties with the US, so China is happy that bilateral ties have improved of late, he said.

Chi said the nation is anxiously awaiting the planned meeting between Bush and Jiang this fall when Bush comes to China.

Biden said most Americans want better Sino-American relations. The members of his delegation are from both major US political parties.

Biden said the US does not support Taiwan’s independence and indicated he hopes cross-Straits issues can be resolved peacefully.

(China Daily 08/09/2001)