Bush: US supports 'one-China' policy

(Reuters/chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2005-11-16 11:37

KYOTO, Japan - US President George W. Bush reiterated on Wednesday that Washington supported a "one-China policy" and said that Beijing and Taipei should settle their differences peacefully.

US President George W. Bush gestures during a joint news conference with Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at the Kyoto State Guest House November 16, 2005. [Reuters]

Bush is on a week-long, four-nation Asian tour that will also take him to China, South Korea and Mongolia.

He made the remarks at a joint news conference with his close ally, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, following talks with the Japanese leader.

He said the one-China policy remains unchanged. "It is based on the three communiques, the Taiwan Relations Act and our belief that there should be no unilateral attempts to change the status quo by either side."

Bush said the US will continue to stress the need for a dialogue between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan "that leads to a peaceful resolution of their differences."

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in her meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in Busan, South Korea, also said that the US will adhere to the "one-China" policy, stressing that the policy will not change, according to a Xinhua report.

She said China, as a rising power, is playing an increasing important role in the world affairs.

The US cherishes its relations with China, and hopes to maintain a high-level contact with China. Rice said Bush is looking forward to his upcoming China visit.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said recent China-US relations have grown steadily, and that the two countries' mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields are fruitful.

Li said properly handling the Taiwan issue is a key to ensuring a steady growth of China-US ties.

He said China appreciates the United States' repeated reiteration that it sticks to the "one China" policy, abides by the three China-US joint communiques, and opposes "Taiwan independence."

Li said China hopes the United States will work together with China to oppose and contain "Taiwan independence" and safeguard the peace of the Taiwan Strait and the China-US relations which are of overall importance.

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