Chinese president: Mutual respect, consideration of core interests key to Sino-U.S. ties

Source: Xinhua | 04-02-2009 09:09

LONDON, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said during a meeting with his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama here Wednesday that mutual respect for and consideration of each other's core interests are key to ensuring a sound and stable development of Chinese-U.S. relations.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) shakes hands with U.S. President Barack Obama during their meeting in London,  Britain, on April 1, 2009. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

The Chinese president noted that the Taiwan issue remains the most important and sensitive core issue in China-U.S. relations.

As situation across the Taiwan Strait continues to improve, cross-strait relations have got on the track of peaceful development, he said.

No matter how the situation across the strait evolves, China will steadfastly adhere to the one-China policy and resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence," "One China, one Taiwan" and "Two Chinas," he said.

China appreciates the U.S. government's commitment to the one-China policy and the three Chinese-U.S. joint communiques, as well as its opposition to "Taiwan independence" and Taiwan's joining international organizations limited to sovereign states, Hu said.

China hopes the United States will honor its commitment and properly deal with issues related to Taiwan and support the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, he said.

Hu also said Tibet has always been an inseparable part of China, and the Chinese government has been practicing regional autonomy in Tibet and striving to safeguard human rights and religious freedom of the people there according to laws. China is also committed to the preservation of Tibet's fine traditional culture, he added.