China and the United States should enhance their exchanges and cooperation, President Hu Jintao said during a meeting with former US president Bill Clinton in Beijing Monday.  

Appreciating the former US president's positive contributions in improving and developing the Sino-US relations, Hu said China and the United States, as the world's two influential powers, share broad common interests despite some differences between them.

He hoped that Clinton would continue to play a positive role in promoting the Sino-US relations, on the basis of adhering to the three joint communiqués between the two nations.

Clinton said he steadfastly supported the establishment of a long-term, US-China partnership, and stands firm for the one-China policy.

Speaking highly of China's positive efforts in helping resolve the international and regional issues in a peaceful way, Clinton said China's entry into the World Trade Organization is beneficial to both peoples.

Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan was present at the meeting.

Clinton is currently visiting China at the invitation of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs.

(Xinhua News Agency November 11, 2003)