China will stick to the principles of "One Country, two systems" and "peaceful renunification" on Taiwan issue, but will never tolerate Taiwan independence, Central Military Commission Chairman Jiang Zemin said Thursday.

Jiang Zemin meets with General Myers. [Reuters]

Jiang said that Taiwan issue is the most important, sensitive issue in Sino-US relations, when meeting with General Myers, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff in Beijing. 

China values the US commitment on the Taiwan issue and hopes the US side can continue to play a constructive role in the peaceful solution of this issue, Jiang said.

The former Chinese president continued that the bilateral ties are going forward in spite of the ups and downs ever since the establishment of diplomatic ties. The devlopment of constructive coopearative relations between the countries is conducive to not only the basic interest of the two peoples, but also the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

Myers said that the US is satisfied with the current situations of the relationships between the two militaries and would like to work with the Chinese side to maintain the good momentum.

Myers arrived in Beijing Tuesday for a two-day visit. He is the highest-level US military officer to visit the country since the mid-air collision of an EP-3 US scout plane with a Chinese fighter over the South China sea in 2001.

Myers: Beijing talks beneficial

General Richard Myers, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff said that his talks with Chinese military leaders in Beijing are beneficial and making very good progress on military to military relationships.

The air force general said that US seeks to establish constructive, stable relations with China and looks forward to maintaining the good momentum between the two militaries.

His visit is just one more step to keeping the good momentum between the two militaries, accordinig to Myers. 

He revealed that US and China will hold defense discussions on February 11-12. Later this year, his Chinese counterpart General Liang Guanlie will visit the US as his guest. The US also has other port call plans.

The value of military to military exchanges is to increase transparency of military and avoid misunderstandings, he said, adding that this will help resolve future problems.

He pointed out that the relations between the two great countries are becoming increasingly closer as their economic relationships continue to grow. To sustain the economic development and prosperity, both China and the US need a stable and secure environment. China and US are both Asia-Pacific countries and have huge economic interest in the region.

On the Taiwan issue, Myers said that China knows the US position and US understands China's position. When meeting last year with Premier Wen Jiabao, President Bush pointed out that the US sticks to the one-China policy and opposes any side of the Taiwan Straits to unilaterally change the status quo.

He went on to say that the US strongly believes that the situation can be resolved peacefully.

Turning to the North Korea nuclear issue, Myers said both China and the US like to see a nuclear-free Korea Peninsula and the US appreciates China's efforts in pushing forward the six-party talks.

On the situations in Iraq, Myers said, from the security point of view, the situations became a little bit better, since the capture of Saddam Hussein. More Iraqis are willing to provide information for the coalition troops. Maybe they feel free after Saddam capture.

The US hope to realize the transition of sovereignty to the Iraqis in this summer, Myers said. He added that the US is trying very hard to turn Iraq into a modern democratic country and this is beneficial not only to the region, but also to the world.

Close

Today's Top News		Top National News
+Japan warships attack Chinese fishing boats ( 2004-01-16) +Beijing-Shanghai rail drops maglev plan? ( 2004-01-15) +Nation goes on bird flu high alert ( 2004-01-15) +Air safety new top priority ( 2004-01-15) +Shanghai spirit takes shape ( 2004-01-15)		+Taiwan man arrested on spy charge ( 2004-01-16) +Japan warships attack Chinese fishing boats ( 2004-01-16) +Iran plane nose-touches airport ( 2004-01-15) +Beijing-Shanghai rail drops maglev plan? ( 2004-01-15) +Jiang: Constructive US role on Taiwan valuable ( 2004-01-15)