On March 4, 2007, Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte in Zhongnanhai.

 

The state councilor said in recent years the generally stable China-U.S. ties have made continuous progress and are currently facing a favorable opportunity for further development. China and the United States should earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, develop a correct and objective understanding of each other, promote strategic trust, bear in mind common interest of both countries, expand and deepen exchanges and cooperation in all areas, and properly handle differences and sensitive issues, so that China-U.S. constructive and cooperative relations can develop in a sustained, healthy and stable manner, said Tang. "The activities of Taiwan separatists pose a major threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," said Tang. He hoped the U.S. would keep its promise, not send any wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and jointly safeguard the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait as well as its relationship with China.

 

Negroponte said that the U.S.-China relationship would be more important to the two countries and the whole world in the 21st century, as the two countries share broad common interests and a lot of common concerns in bilateral and international affairs. He said the United States looks forward to maintaining exchanges with China at all levels and in various areas and strengthening bilateral constructive and cooperative ties, which conforms to the U.S. interests. Negroponte said the United States will firmly adhere to the one-China policy and observe the three China-U.S. joint communiques.

 

Both sides also exchanged views on other major issues of common concern.

 

Chinese Ambassador to the United States Zhou Wenzhong, Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei, U.S. Ambassador to China Clark Thorp Randt and other officials attended the meeting.