China is ready to work together with the United States to forge ahead bilateral relations of constructive cooperation along the right track and in a sustained, healthy and stable manner, President Hu Jintao said here on Sunday.
During a meeting with his U.S. counterpart George W. Bush in the central government compound of Zhongnanhai, Hu said the Chinese side has always viewed and handled its relations with the United States from a long-term and strategic perspective.
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China-U.S. relations have maintained a good momentum, and face opportunities for further development, Hu said.
The Chinese president cited frequent exchanges between the two countries at all levels, a better mechanism of dialogue and consultation in diverse areas, and fruitful consultation and coordination on major international and regional issues, such as the Korea Peninsula nuclear issue, the Iran nuclear issue and the Darfur issue.
Hu spoke highly of Bush's contribution in promoting bilateral relations, and said he was very pleased to meet Bush again.
"This is already the fourth visit you pay to our country, which has made you the U.S. president paying the most visits to China in the presidential terms," Hu told Bush.
"This has fully demonstrated the great importance Mr. President has attached to the development of Sino-U.S. relations," he said.
The inauguration of the new U.S. embassy in Beijing on Friday, which President Bush attended, and the inauguration of the Chinese embassy in Washington at the end of last month, signified the further advancement of the China-U.S. relations, said the Chinese president.
In response, Bush noted that bilateral relations with China are important, constructive and forthright, adding that the U.S. side will continue to work with China to build bilateral ties on a more solid foundation.
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"No matter what kind of changes take place in the cross-Strait relations, our stance of adhering to the one-China principle and opposing 'Taiwan independence' secessionist activities will never change, and cannot be changed," Hu said.
Under new circumstances, the Chinese government will continue to push for the peaceful development of the relations across the Taiwan Straits, and promote cross-Strait personnel, economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, said the Chinese president, adding that China hopes to see Washington properly handle the Taiwan issue and support such peaceful development.
President Bush responded that the United States is glad to see the improvement of cross-Strait relations.
During the meeting, which was followed by a banquet, the U.S. president said that he enjoyed the conservation with Hu, and has had "memorable experience" every time he visited the country.
Describing the grand opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, which he attended on Friday night, as "spectacular," Bush congratulated China on the successful opening of the Games and said he has "fully enjoyed" the Games. He also thanked the Chinese side for its considerate arrangements of various activities for himself and his family during their stay in Beijing.
Having watched a swimming final on Sunday morning in which Michael Phelps clinched a men's 400m individual medley gold with a new world record, Bush said he is looking forward to watching the basketball match between China and the United States scheduled for Sunday night.
Hu congratulated Bush on the victory of Michael Phelps, whom he called "an excellent athlete of the United States," and expressed the belief that Phelps will "achieve more outstanding results" in the Olympic swimming competition.
