China and the United States should expand mutual interests that will "not only maintain the stability of, but also add strong vigor to, the development of bilateral relations."

Former Vice Premier Qian Qichen said this at a four-day forum on Sino-US relations, which opened in Beijing yesterday.

He called for more cooperation in areas of common interest such as trade, energy and the fight against bird flu.

He also stressed the need for coordination in the development of nuclear power, natural gas and the use of cleaner energy.

The forum is being held less than a week before a scheduled visit by US President George W. Bush to China on November 19.

At yesterday's forum, Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi acknowledged that trade frictions exist, but he added: "We should focus on the broad interests of Sino-US economic and trade cooperation, avoid politicizing trade issues, and resolve disputes through consultation."

According to Yang, China is now the US' third largest trading partner while the US is China's second largest trading partner.

Both Qian and Yang believe that China and the US should properly handle the sensitive Taiwan question.

Qian noted that it is in the interest of both China and the US to oppose Taiwanese nationalism and safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

He said China is deeply concerned that the US is selling advanced weapons to Taiwan and upgrading military ties with the island, as this only sends wrong signals to the Taiwan nationalist forces, and is detrimental to cross-Straits stability.

General Xiong Guangkai, deputy chief of general staff of the People's Liberation Army, echoed Qian's views.

Taiwan's separatists threaten security in the region, he said.

Qian also reiterated China's policy of peaceful development.

He said that in the US, there are misunderstandings about a strong China, and even concern that US interests will be undermined.

He said the major task of the Chinese government is to improve the living standard of its 1.3 billion people. China is seeking sustainable development in a peaceful international atmosphere.

Former US president George Bush, who was the head of the US liaison office in China between 1974 and 1975, told the forum that despite challenges to the relationship, he and his son, the current US president George W. Bush, believe that Sino-US relations have improved markedly.

"He also feels it is in good shape," he said, echoing George W. Bush's perceptions of bilateral ties in an interview last week.

It was the senior Bush's 14th visit to China since leaving office in 1992. The forum, initiated by him, provides a unique opportunity for policymakers, scholars and business leaders from the two countries to exchange ideas and address issues of common interest.

(China Daily November 15, 2005)