BUSH URGES CHINESE PRESIDENT TO HOLD TALKS WITH TAIWAN'S PRESIDENT
Central News Agency
2005-05-06 11:27:59
Washington, May 5 (CNA) U.S. President George W. Bush on Thursday urged Chinese President Hu Jintao to continue working on ways to engage in dialogue with President Chen Shui-bian, the duly elected leader of Taiwan, according to White House spokesman Scott McClellan.
The spokesman said at a routine press briefing held the same day that Bush had a phone conversation with Hu during which they not only discussed issues relating to North Korea and the importance of the six-party talks, but also reiterated their promises to work together toward a nuclear-free Korean peninsula and discussed Taiwan. "President Hu briefed President Bush on the historic visits to China by (Taiwan's) opposition leaders. The president urged President Hu to continue working on ways to reach out to President Chen as the duly elected leader of Taiwan, " McClellan said.
While expressing the United States' appreciation for President Hu's meetings with some of Taiwan's opposition leaders and reiterating that Washington attaches importance to dialogue, the spokesman noted that China's leaders still need to hold talks with the elected leaders of Taiwan. "We believe, ultimately, that there needs to be continued dialogue with the duly elected leaders in Taiwan, and that means President Chen and his Cabinet. That's the best way to continue to promote peace and stability in the cross-strait region," he said.
McClellan also said that the United States will continue to urge dialogue between Taiwan and China to promote peace and stability in the region.
During their phone conversation, the spokesman said, Bush and Hu also agreed on the importance of progress in bilateral trade and economic issues.
Bush is expected to meet with Hu at a gathering to be held in Moscow next week to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
(By Jorge Liu and P.C.Tang)
Enditem/Li
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