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President Hu meets with US defense secretary
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-10-19 20:44
Chinese President Hu Jintao met with visiting US Defense Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld here Wednesday, calling for the two sides to make a concerted effort to
further promote the relations between the two nations and two armies.
Chinese President Hu
Jintao (R) talks to US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld inside the Great Hall
of the People in Beijing October 19, 2005. Rumsfeld arrived in Beijing Tuesday
for a three-day visit, his first as the US secretary of defense.
[Reuters]
Hu, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, said that China-US
relations have seen good growth on the whole, and that the leaders of the two
nations maintain close connections and communication.
Hu described bilateral cooperation in economy and trade, anti-terrorism,
nonproliferation of nuclear weapons and United Nations reform as "fruitful".
"When we met in New York not long ago, President George W. Bush and I reached
an important consensus on pushing forward comprehensive Sino-US relations in the
21st century, which is of great significance in futhering bilateral ties", Hu
said.
He pointed out that China and the United States are both very influential
nations in the world with commensurate responsibilities that share common
interests in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.
"China attaches great importance to relations with the US and is willing to
join hands with the US to further implement the three China-US joint
communiques", Hu said.
Chinese President Hu Jintao (R)
shakes hands with visiting US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld inside
the Great Hall of the People in Beijing October 19, 2005. Rumsfeld arrived in
Beijing Tuesday for a three-day visit, his first as the US secretary of defense.
[newsphoto]
He called on the two sides to increase exchanges and mutual trust, expand
consensus and cooperation, and take a constructive attitude in handling
sensitive issues in order to lay a solid foundation for the healthy, stable
development of bilateral relations.
Hu also voiced his hope that the two defense departments would make joint
efforts to score new progress in the relations between the two armed forces.
Rumsfeld expressed his congratulations to China's successful launch of a
second manned spacecraft, Shenzhou-6, pointing out the significance for the US
and China in furthering relations and strengthening cooperation with mutual
benefits on important international issues.
He said he had an in-depth exchange of views with Chinese military leaders on
promoting the relations between the two armies,expressing his hope for more
exchanges in educational programs on military academies.
Rumsfeld arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a three-day
visit asguest of his Chinese counterpart Cao Gangchuan. This is his first visit
to China as Defense Secretary since he took office in January 2001, and the
second visit by a US Defense Secretary since 2000.
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