Press Interpreter

11/20/05 -- On November 20th in Beijing, China Foreign Affairs Bureau, News Department Head, Kong Quan, held an advance conference with foreign and Chinese media regarding President Bush’s visit to China. He indicated that this visit from President Bush occurred against the background of full-scale developments in Sino-American relations and that the visit yielded important successes.

Bush arrived in Beijing on the evening of the 19th to commence his visit to China. On the 20th both Chairman Hu Jintao and State Council Premier Wen Jiabao separately held peace talks and meetings with Bush.

Kong Quan further indicated that this visit, conducted in an amiable environment, was of a pragmatic and constructive nature. The two countries’ leaders discussed all matters of mutual concern and reached a number of common understandings.

During meetings between the two heads of state, President Bush invited Chairman Hu Jintao to visit America as soon as possible, and Hu Jintao happily accepted the invitation. Kong Quan also said that it is very important that China and America maintain frequent, high-level dialogue. He further hopes that through dialogue between the two leaders and consultation and contact at all levels and ranks, the two countries will be able to expand their common interests and strengthen their mutually beneficial cooperation. He also expressed hope that they might achieve mutual development and devote themselves to world peace and stability.

Kong Quan also noted that this meeting between Chairman Hu Jintao and President Bush on the 20th was the fifth time they had met this year, and the two leaders gave a high appraisal of the development of bilateral relations. They also reaffirmed their commitment to promote diligently new successes in mutually constructive Sino-American relations. This not only can bring benefit to the people of both countries, but also carries great significance for regional and world peace and stability.

According to Kong Quan, Hu Jintao had said that China was resolutely walking down the path to peaceful development, and President Bush expressed appreciation for this assurance. Kong Quan noted that, with regard to many issues, China and America share common interests. They should handle any problems or frictions between the countries against the background of the greater Sino-American relationship. This way bilateral relations can develop healthily on a stable foundation.

Answering reporters’ questions regarding trade, Kong Quan said that the two leaders had held deep discussions on the issue and that both sides expressed willingness to make common efforts, in the midst of continued development, gradually to pursue bilateral trade balance. Any problems or frictions that arise in the course of rapid development of trade relations should be properly handled through consultation.

Answering questions about how China and American should confront the rampant avian flu, Kong Quan said that both heads of state were unanimous that protections against the avian flu should be strengthened and that they had created a common written statement on the issue. This is a measure of real cooperation between China and American on avian flu protection and includes research and development for vaccines and medicines, among other things. Such cooperation holds great significance.

Kong said that this visit will forcefully promote new progress in Sino-American constructive cooperation in the 21st century. Bilateral, mutual cooperation in every area will only bring new successes.

[Full article]

* Kong Quan is the China Foreign Affairs Bureau, News Department Head.

Source: Xinhua Agency
Copy Editor: Zhao Ying

--Translated by Abra Murray

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