Chinese Ambassador to the United States of America Zhou Wenzhong recently accepted an interview by People's Daily, expressing his view on the China-US relations.

Zhou said the China-US relations as a whole exhibited a trend of stable development in 2005. Senior-level exchange and communication between the two countries were frequent. President Hu Jintao and President George W. Bush met on several occasions and kept close contact through correspondence and the phone.

The meetings between the heads of the two countries in Sept. in New York and Nov. in Beijing, in particular, were of great significance. Both sides agreed to enhance mutual understanding, expand consensus, strengthen mutual trust and boost the China-US constructive and cooperative relationship in the 21st century in an all-round way. This points out the direction for further development of the China-US relations.

Areas of bilateral cooperation have been further broadened, said Zhou Wenzhong. Coordination and cooperation in broad areas such as trade and economics, anti-terrorism, the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, reconstruction of Iraq as well as bird flu control, energy, environmental protection and disaster relief have made important progresses.

The two sides also launched two rounds of strategic dialogue, conducting candid, in-depth and constructive discussions on major international and regional issues such as international situation, the China-US relations and other issues of common concern, which further enhanced mutual understanding and expanded consensus. Exchange between the legislatures of the two countries has kept deepening. New progress was made in the relationship between the two militaries.

All these have further enriched the meaning of the China-US constructive and cooperative relationship.

Zhou said although there exist some differences and problems in the China-US relations, cooperation is always the mainstream of the bilateral relations development.

As to the Taiwan question Zhou said the question concerns the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China and touches on its core interests. The Taiwan question has always been the most important, most sensitive core question in the China-US relations. Appropriately handling the Taiwan question is the key to ensuring the stable development of the China-US relations.

We appreciate President Bush and the US government's reiterations to adhere to the One China policy, abide by the three joint communiques between China and the US and oppose "Taiwan independence". We hope the US can earnestly deliver its commitments and join China in opposing and checking "Taiwan independence" so as to safeguard the peace and stability across the Taiwan straits and the common interest of China and the US.

Regarding the bilateral trade and economic relations, Zhou Wenzhong said the US has become the second largest trade partner and the largest export market of China. China is the US third largest trade partner and the fastest-growing export market. China and the US share strong economic complementarity, with the trade and economic cooperation as a whole beneficial to both sides.

During the first eleven months of 2005 bilateral trade reached $191.55 billion, up by 25.4 percent. Bilateral trade for the whole year is set to top $200 billion and the trade economic relations will become even closer.

Zhou said the fast development and large scale of the China-US trade mean that some frictions are inevitable. Both sides should continue to appropriately address trade disputes through dialogue and consultation in the principle of "development, equality and mutual benefit" so as to boost the sound development of bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

Looking into 2006, Zhou Wenzhong believes the China-US relations are facing broad prospects of continuous development as well as, of course, some challenges that demand the joint efforts by both China and the US. Leaders of the two countries will continue senior-level exchange and meet on some important international occasions. During his recent visit to China President Bush invited President Hu to visit the US at the earliest possible time and President Hu accepted the invitation agreeably.

Ensuring the success of the visit will be of great significance to boosting exchange, mutual trust, cooperation and further development of the constructive and cooperative relationship in the 21st century between the two countries. We are willing to make joint efforts with the US in preparing for this visit so as to ensure its success and enhance exchange and cooperation in various fields.

Zhou said we will, together with the United States, implement the important consensus reached by the heads of the two countries and better benefit the two peoples and the world at large by boosting the China-US relations in the following aspects.

First, further enhance senior-level exchange and dialogue at various levels, boosting political mutual trust.

Second, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as trade and economics, anti-terrorism, culture, education and healthcare, and strive to explore new cooperation areas, expand the convergence of mutual interests.

Third, attend to the concerns of each other and appropriately handle questions in the bilateral relations, particularly ones like Taiwan and trade disputes.

Forth, enhance consultation and coordination on international and regional issues such as the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, Iraq and reconstruction of Afghanistan, making joint effort to promote world peace, stability and development.

Fifth, promote non-governmental exchange and boost mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and American people, further expanding the social basis for the bilateral relations.

I believe, Zhou said, the China-US relations will keep making new progresses as long as China and the US insist on viewing and handling the bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term point of view, adhere to the principles established in the three joint communiques, strive to expand consensus and cooperation and appropriately handle differences.

By People's Daily Online