Vice-ministers of foreign affairs, Li Zhaoxing and Wang Yi, exchanged views about Sino-US relations and other major issues with James Andrew Kelly, US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, who was in China yesterday.

During the meeting, the Chinese officials reaffirmed the country's stand on the current state of bilateral relations, the Taiwan question and other issues. They stressed China is willing to develop sound and stable relations with the United States if the three Sino-US joint communiques and the basic principles governing international relations are observed.

The visitors said the US position on developing constructive relations with China remains unchanged, and said the United States will continue to adhere to the one-China policy, abide by the three joint communiques and will not support "Taiwan independence."

The two sides held frank discussions on the US missile defence plan, and expressed a willingness to continue talks about this.

The two sides also exchanged views on present developments in Asia as well as other issues of common concern.

Xinhua