Hu, Bush have phone conversation
(China Daily)
Updated: 2004-05-31 08:39

President Hu Jintao and US President George W. Bush had a telephone conversation on Saturday evening on issues including Iraq and the Taiwan question, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Bush briefed Hu on the draft resolution on the Iraq issue the United States submitted to the United Nations Security Council recently, and hoped that China would continue to co-operate with the US side on this issue.

Bush said he understood China's concern over the Taiwan question, and strongly reiterated that the United States would adhere to the one-China policy, abide by the three Sino-US joint communiques and oppose "Taiwan independence."

Hu said the correct approach to a proper solution of the Iraq issue was to have Iraq resume exercising its sovereignty in an all-encompassing manner, and to launch democratic and fair elections as early as possible for the establishment of a highly representative new Iraqi government, with the United Nations playing an important role in this process.

The Chinese side supports the Security Council adopting a new resolution, and hopes that all parties involved will take a positive, pragmatic and responsible attitude to promoting the consultation process to reach a consensus as soon as possible, he said.

As to the Taiwan question, Hu stressed that the separatist activities of "Taiwan independence" factions remain the biggest threat to peace and stability across the Straits.

"We hope that the United States will observe its commitment to adhere to the one-China policy, follow the three Sino-US joint communiques and oppose 'Taiwan independence,' and will not send the wrong signals to the Taiwan authorities," Hu said.

The two presidents agreed the two countries would make joint efforts to push forward their constructive and co-operative relationship.