Chinese President Hu Jintao met with visiting US Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates Tuesday morning, two years after his meeting with former Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in October 2005.

Speaking highly of the Sino-US relations, Hu said the two countries have had a stable development momentum of bilateral relations, featuring frequent exchanges in all levels, fruitful cooperation in various areas, and coordination and consultation on major international and regional issues.

"To keep a sound development of the Sino-US relationship is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples, and will help maintain the peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world as a whole," Hu said.

He said China will work with the United States and handle the general situation of the bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term prospective.

He called on the two countries to strengthen dialogues and expand cooperation in the spirit of mutual respect, equality, reciprocity and win-win cooperation, properly tackle the sensitive issues in the bilateral relations, and promote a sound, stable and deepening development of the Sino-US constructive relationship of cooperation.

Hu also briefed Gates on China's stances over the Taiwan issue.

Gates, congratulating Hu on China's preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, said the military-to-military relations between the two countries have made positive progress and are facing opportunities for further development.

He hopes the armed forces of the two countries can strengthen dialogues, enhance mutual trust and promote the development of military-to-military relations, Gates said.

He also reaffirmed that there's no change to the US government's adherence to the one-China policy.

Gates is the highest ranking US military official to visit China since Rumsfeld's visit. This is also Gates' first visit to China since he was appointed Secretary of Defense in December 2006.

Prior to Hu's meeting, Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan and Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo also have had talks with Gates on Monday, in which the two sides exchanged views on broad issues including the Taiwan issue.

Gates reiterated the US government's adherence to the one-China policy and the three US-China joint communiques during the talks.

China and the United States also agreed to open a direct telephone line between the defense ministries of the two countries, which is the first of its kind that China has ever established with another country at the defense ministry level.

As guest of Cao, Gates concluded his three-day official visit Tuesday afternoon and flied to the Republic of Korea.

(Xinhua News Agency November 6, 2007)