Tang, Powell talk about Sino-US ties, Iraqi issue
( 2002-11-22 09:22 ) (1 )

Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan talked on the telephone Thursday with US Secretary of State Colin Powell, who is currently in the Czech Republic for a NATO summit.

Tang said the Sino-US relationship is showing a positive growth trend since President Jiang Zemin's US visit last month. The two sides should conscientiously follow through on the consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries, strengthen dialogue and co-operation, and maintain the good momentum on the growth of bilateral ties, he added.

Powell endorsed Tang's appraisal of the current US-China relations, and expressed his approval of the sound co-operation between the two in many spheres, adding that he hoped they would further enhance their exchanges and co-operation.

Powell briefed the Chinese foreign minister on US views in respect to the latest developments in Iraq. Tang said the overall situation at present is good, as Iraq has accepted the UN resolution and agreed to deliver relevant reports to the United Nations within the agreed deadline, and the advance party of the UN weapons inspection team has returned to Iraq.