WASHINGTON, February 4 (Xinhuanet) -- Visiting Chinese Vice
Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said here Monday that proper handling
of the Taiwan issue is the key to developing a constructive
relationship of cooperation between China and the United States.

  "The Taiwan question remains the most important and most
sensitive issue at the heart of China-U.S. relations, and it
concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Li said
at a luncheon hosted by the U.S.-China Business Council, a private,
nonpartisan U.S. organization engaged in business relations with
China.

  "There is but one China in the world. Both Taiwan and the
Mainland belong to the one and same China," he added.
  The former ambassador to the U.S. said successive U.S.
administrations, both Republican and Democratic, have pledged to
pursue the One-China policy and abide by the three joint
communiques.

  "It is our hope that the U.S. side will handle the Taiwan
question from a strategic and long-term perspective, honor its
relevant commitments and support China's efforts at peaceful
reunification," he said. "This will serve the interests of the two
countries as well as those of the international community."
 
  Li pointed out that the successful meeting in Shanghai between
Chinese President Jiang Zemin and U.S. President George W. Bush
last October marked a return to normality in the relationship
which has begun showing a positive momentum for further growth.
   
    The two presidents reached a common understanding on working
towards a constructive, cooperative relationship between the two
countries and set the direction for such a relationship to develop
in the future, he added.

  Describing the year 2002 as "a year full of hope" for China-U.S.
relations, Li said that in two weeks' time, the two countries will
mark the 30th anniversary of President Richard Nixon's visit to
China and issuance of the Shanghai Communique, and President Bush
is also to pay a working visit to China at the time.
 
  Li said President Bush's visit will "provide us with an
important opportunity to review the past, look into the future and
move our constructive, cooperative relationship forward with
concrete actions."
 
  He said the Chinese government and people attach great
importance to President Bush's upcoming visit to China and the
Chinese side wishes to work closely with the U.S. side on the
preparations, help create a positive atmosphere for the visit and
make the Beijing summit a success.  

  Li Zhaoxing arrived here on Saturday for a working visit to the
U.S. He is expected to discuss with U.S. government officials
bilateral relations and preparations for President's Bush's
upcoming visit to China this month.   Enditem