Senior Chinese diplomat calls for stronger Sino-US dialogue, deeper mutual trust

China and the United States are supposed to strengthen dialogues and deepen mutual trust as the Sino-US ties progress, said former Chinese Vice Primer Qian Qichen Monday in Beijing.

Qian made the remarks at a four-day bilateral conference entitled China-US Relations: Trade, Diplomacy and Research, which is held from Nov. 14 to 17 in Beijing with the aim of promoting mutual understanding and cooperation between China and the United States.

Qian said that China will consistently stick to the policy of peaceful development, achieve progress under peaceful international circumstances, and contribute to the world peace and development.

"China will insist on its independent foreign policy of peace, coexist peacefully and work together amiably with other countries in the world," Qian said.

Qian believed that with the growth of its economy and comprehensive national power, China's peaceful development will infuse new vigor and bring about opportunities for the Sino-US relations, and push forward the constructive relation of cooperation between the two countries.

As the trend of economic globalization deepens increasingly, "no country can achieve developments solely by itself," Qian said, adding that only through cooperation could members of the international community make self progress as well as mutual prosperity.

Qian cited keeping high-level contacts and communications as carrying significant meanings for China and the US to enhance mutual trust and two-way relations.

"What lays the social foundation for the bilateral relation is to strengthen communications, promote understanding and friendship between two peoples," Qian said.

Qian also suggested that the two countries should make efforts to push forward dialogues and cooperation in every aspect not only between the two governments of all levels, but also between the two peoples, especially in areas like academics, culture and education.

China, US urged to safeguard bilateral relations

Former Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen said Monday in Beijing that China and the United States should properly handle differences and sensitive issues concerning Taiwan, human rights and trade frictions, in a bid to safeguard the overall situation of bilateral ties.

Qian noted the Taiwan issue is connected with the core interest of China, which the country concerns most.

It is in the interests of both China and the US to oppose and check "Taiwan independence" and safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan straits, Qian said.

He said China is deeply concerned with the US selling advanced weapons to Taiwan and furthering military ties with Taiwan, as they would only send wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" force and is detrimental to the stability across the Taiwan Straits.

"I hope the US will stick to its stance of opposing 'Taiwan independence', be cautious in action and give no chance to the 'Taiwan independence' force," said Qian.

On economic and trade frictions and disputes between the two countries, Qian said such frictions and disputes are inevitable at a time when China-US economic and trade cooperation is expanding fast, which, however, should not be enlarged and politicized, he added.

Qian said the two sides should properly solve each other's concerns through dialogue and on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and common development, so as to promote the healthy development of economic cooperation and achieve win-win results of mutual benefits.

Qian also suggested both sides conduct dialogue and cooperation in democracy and human rights issues, on the basis of equality and mutual respect, and make them the positive factors for bilateral ties.

By doing so, the two countries will set a good example for other countries and civilizations to co-exist peacefully and seek common develoment, he said.

This is the second bilateral conference on China-US relations since 2003 when the first conference was held in the United States. The conference will be held every two years in the United States and China alternately.

Source: Xinhua/People's Daily