On the afternoon of October 25, 2002, President Jiang Zemin and US President George W. Bush met the press at the latter's home ranch. They said that the two countries are willing to intensify exchanges and cooperation in all fields and at all levels to promote a constructive and cooperative relationship.

Jiang said that the meeting just held between them has been constructive and productive. We both agree that China and the US are two great nations sharing extensive and important common interests. The two sides should increase exchanges and cooperation in economic, trade, cultural, education and other fields. We should step up dialogue and coordination on major international and regional issues, and constantly move our constructive and cooperative relationship forward.

Expressing satisfaction with the two countries' cooperation on anti-terror in the past year, Jiang noted that the two sides agreed to strengthen such cooperation in a two-way and mutually beneficial manner, and work together against terrorism in all forms and manifestations. We had a candid exchange of views on the Taiwan question. I have elaborated on my government's basic policy of peaceful unification and the policy of "one country, two systems" for the settlement of the Taiwan question. President Bush has reiterated his clear-cut position that the US government abides by the One China policy.

Jiang pointed out that the two sides discussed the nuclear issue concerning the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the meeting. China has all along been a supporter of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and hopes for peace and stability there. The two sides agreed to continue to consult on this issue and work together to ensure a peaceful resolution of the problem.

Democracy and human rights are the common pursuits of mankind. China's human rights cause has been developing constantly, with all kinds of rights of the people fully ensured. Regarding the two sides' differences in these areas, the Chinese side stands ready to continue exchanging views with the US side on the basis of mutual respect and seeking common ground while shelving differences, with a view to deepening understanding and enhancing consensus. He expressed the confidence that, so long as the two sides persist in viewing and handling their relations from a strategic height and with a long-term perspective and keep expanding cooperation and enhancing mutual trust, China-US relations will be able to grow steadily and bring benefits to both peoples.

Answering a question about the development of Sino-US relationship in the past year, Jiang said that China and the United States have expanded their cooperation and enhanced mutual understanding and trust. On the whole, the relationship has enjoyed a good momentum of growth. Facts have proven once again that despite the profound changes in the international situation and despite the differences of one type or another between China and the US, our two countries have more, rather than less, common interest. And the prospect of cooperation between us has become broader, rather than narrower. If constantly expanding common interest, enhancing mutual trust and adhering to the principles of the three China-US joint communiqes, China-US relations can develop forward.

When asked whether China's ever increasing national strength would pose a threat to the United States, Jiang said that given their different national conditions, it is only natural for China and the United States to have differences. The two sides should view and handle these differences from the perspective of the fundamental interests of the two peoples and the overall interests of world peace and development. China has chosen a development path suited to its national conditions. It has enjoyed rapid progress in economic growth, cultural development and the building of democracy and the rule of law, bringing tangible benefits to the Chinese people. This road is still very long before China achieves full modernization; our central task and long-term goal remain one of economic development and improvement of people's living standards. China has neither engaged in expansion nor sought hegemony. We sincerely desire peace all over the world. Even when China becomes more developed in the future, it will not pose a threat to others. Facts have shown and will continue to show that China is a staunch force maintaining world and regional peace.

Bush again welcomed Jiang and his wife to his ranch. He said that this is his third meeting with Jiang. Important progress has been made in their personal relationship and US-China relations. He stressed that the United States seeks and is building a relationship with China that constructive and cooperative. They will continue building this relationship through contacts at many levels in months to come, including a new dialogue on strategic security issues. Both the US and China believe that to develop a good relationship between the US and China is conducive to a more peaceful world.

Taking a question from the press, Bush said that the United States and China are allies in the fight against global terror and the two countries are deepening their economic relations. It is inevitable that nations the size of the United States and China will have differences, but the two sides agree to resolve their differences through mutual understanding and respect.

When asked about the US government's position on the Taiwan question, Bush reiterated the adherence to the One China policy, and explicitly said that the US will not support the so-called Taiwan Independence.

Bush also announced that Vice President Cheney will visit China next spring at the invitation of Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao.