Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with United States President George W. Bush following a joint press conference they hold after talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 20, 2005.  (Xinhua Photo)

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) gestures to United States President George W. Bush during a joint press conference they hold after talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 20, 2005.  (Xinhua Photo)

Chinese President Hu Jintao and US President George W. Bush pledged joint efforts Sunday to promote the all-round development of constructive and cooperative relations between the two countries.

In his talks with the visiting US president, Hu said China and the United States have extensive common interests and share common major responsibility in such vital issues as pushing the reform of the United Nations, solving regional hot issues, preventing and fighting against terrorism, preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, fighting against natural disasters and combating epidemic diseases.

Giving a positive appraisal of the China-US relations, Hu said the two countries are naturally required to keep a long-term good relationship, maintain mutually beneficial cooperation and seek common development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large in order to carry forward in an all-round manner the constructive and cooperative relations between the two countries.

It is also the practical need for the creation of a peaceful, stable and prosperous world, Hu added.

He said China will, together with the United States, treat and handle bilateral relations from strategic high and from a long-term perspective, keep a firm grip on the common interests, properly handle each other's concerns, expand comprehensive and mutually beneficial cooperation in all sectors so as to give constant impetus to the constructive and cooperative relations between the two countries, carry forward human being's lofty cause of peaceful development and further benefit to the peoples of the two countries as well as the rest of the world.

Noting that China is "an important country", Bush said his current visit has offered an opportunity to strengthen his country's relations with China.

He echoed the suggestions proposed by Hu about the development of bilateral ties, stressing that the two countries should continue to expand exchanges and enhance dialogues.

Bush also commended on China's firm stance on anti-terrorism, the dialogue about energy affairs between the two countries and the role that China has played in preventing and fighting against bird flu.

Five-point proposal

During their talks, Hu put forward a five-point proposal on the further promotion of China-US constructive and cooperative ties.

Firstly, the momentum of high-level exchanges between the two countries should be maintained, Hu said, suggesting that leaders of the two countries keep close communication and consultation on bilateral relations and other important issues of common concern by various means.

The two sides should also increase dialogues and exchanges at other levels and boost the friendly exchanges between their parliaments, he said.

Secondly, Hu said China and the United States should make joint efforts to create favorable conditions for further trade and economic cooperation.

The two countries should adhere to the principle of equality, mutual benefit and common development, and keep expanding the spheres of cooperation to achieve a win-win result, he said.

They should work to gradually realize trade balance in the process of development and properly handle the frictions and problems emerging from trade and economic cooperation through dialogue and consultation.

Responding to Hu's proposal, Bush said the United States would continue its efforts to achieve stable development in trade with China, which has taken important measures toward market access and intellectual property right protection.

China has scored remarkable achievements in economic development, said Bush, stressing that he did not worry about China's economic development as some other people do, and he welcomes China to play a greater role in pushing forward the world economic growth.

In his third proposal, Hu called on the two nations to step up their mutually beneficial cooperation in the energy sector and strengthen consultation on energy strategies.

Both China and the United States should encourage and support their businesses to cooperate in oil and gas exploration and development, while working together to develop clean energy to address energy and environmental challenges, Hu noted.

Hu's fourth proposal was focused on intensified joint efforts for cooperation in the fight against terrorism, nonproliferation and the prevention and control of bird flu.

The Chinese president said the two countries should further the anti-terror cooperation in the principle of mutual benefit, expand the constructive dialogue and cooperation in nonproliferation based on mutual respect and trust, and implement the joint proposal on strengthening bilateral cooperation to prevent and control avian flu as soon as possible.

In his fifth proposal, Hu called on the two countries to increase cultural exchanges, explore ways to establish a mechanism for dialogue and consultation on China-US cultural cooperation.

While calling for joint efforts to give a better play to the Sino-US Joint Working Committee on Cooperation of Science and Technology, Hu urged the concerned departments, research institutes and business communities of the two countries to boost technological cooperation.

Peaceful reunification, no "Taiwan independence"

Hu said it is in the common interest of both China and the United State to oppose and check secessionist activities of the "Taiwan Independence" forces and safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

"The keynote of our policy toward the Taiwan question is to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and commit ourselves to achieving the country's peaceful reunification," he told Bush.

The US side has reiterated, on many occasions, that it will stick to the one-China policy, abide by the three Sino-US joint communiques and oppose "Taiwan Independence", Hu said. "The Chinese side highly appreciates this."

Bush said the US side sticks to the one-China policy, opposes "Taiwan Independence" and rejects any attempt aimed at unilaterally changing the status quo across the Taiwan Straits.

During the talks Hu also briefed Bush on China's unswerving adherence to the path of peace and development and its achievements in democracy and human rights.

The two presidents also exchanged ideas on how to enhance cooperation in Asia-Pacific affairs.

Bush extended a formal invitation for Hu to visit the United States. Hu Jintao accepted it with pleasure.

The US President arrived in Beijing Saturday for a whirlwind 40-hour China tour as Hu's guest.

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