President Hu urges cautious handling of Taiwan issue

BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao called for cautious handling of Taiwan issue during a meeting with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice here Tuesday.

Hu said China would work with the United States to handle the bilateral relations from a long-term and strategic point of view, strengthen dialogues and consultation, promote mutual understanding and trust, expand consensus and cooperation, and properly deal with major concerns of each other, especially the Taiwan issue.

He said China is willing to work with the United States to firmly deter the risky activities of the Taiwan cessionist forces, maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, and to ensure a sound and stable development of a constructive relationship of cooperation with the United States.

Rice said that the U.S. side has reiterated its stance on the "referendum on UN membership" for many times, and the "referendum" should not be held.

BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Visiting United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reiterated here Tuesday that the U.S. would adhere to the one-China policy and opposes the proposed "referendum on Taiwan's U.N. membership".

Rice made the remarks in her talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, said a press release from the Chinese Ministry, stressing that the U.S. opposes any unilateral changes across the Straits and believes that the referendum would not be constructive to any side and should not be taken. Full story

BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi upon her arrival Tuesday morning. They pledged to promote the Sino-U.S. ties.

Yang said the two sides are making endeavors to implement the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries, and he is delighted to have the chance to discuss with Rice on promoting Sino-U.S. constructive relationship of cooperation and bilateral communication, coordination and cooperation on international issues. Full story

BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived here on Tuesday, starting her two-day visit to China as guest of Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

During the visit, Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and State councilor Tang Jiaxuan will meet Rice, respectively. Yang Jiechi will hold talks with her.