The exchange team of China's top legislative body, the National People's Congress, and the US Senate have had a meeting in Beijing as part of their first round of talks.

Vice Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Sheng Huaren and Ted Stevens, president pro tempore of the US Senate, co-chaired the meeting.

Both sides exchanged views on the Taiwan issue, international and regional issues, and Sino-US trade relations.

They agree that Sheng Huaren will visit the US next year at the invitation of the US side to hold the second round of talks.

(CRI August 5, 2004)