On April 30, 2002, Vice President Hu Jintao, on his official visit to the United States, met with leaders of the US Congress at the Capitol Hill. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on issues concerning China's WTO entry, anti-terrorism, Taiwan and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Both agreed that the meeting is constructive.

The meeting in the U.S. Senate was co-hosted by majority leader A. Daschle Thomas and minority leader Trent Lott and attended by Joseph R. Biden Jr., Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and other members of the Senate. Hu took questions from senators after his remarks.

In the House of Representatives, Hu met Speaker Dennis Hastert and conveyed to the latter greetings from Chairman Li Peng. Accompanied by Hastert, Hu met with Republican leader Richard K. Armie, chairmen of various committees and some assistants, and took questions from them.

Hu said that this year marks the 30th anniversary of President Nixon's visit to China and the issuing of Sino-US Shanghai Joint Communique. Although the international situation has undergone profound changes, China and the United States now share more common interests than before and they thus have every reason to further their cooperation in all areas. China recognizes the important role the US Congress plays in developing Sino-US ties and hopes that the Congress would become a promoter of bilateral relations between the two countries.

On the Taiwan issue, Hu stressed that this is the most important and most sensitive issue at the heart of Sino-US relations, and that proper handling of the issue is the key to healthy and stable development of the Sino-US relationship. Chinese government is firm in its stance that the Taiwan issue should be resolved according to the principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems" as well as President Jiang Zemin's Eight-Point Statement. The peaceful reunification of China would benefit all parties. We hope that the US side would stick to the One-China policy and the three Sino-U.S joint communiques and earnestly play a constructive role in the process of realizing China's peaceful reunification.

Speaking of the issue of non-proliferation, Hu said China consistently opposes the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and takes a responsible attitude toward export control. China and the United States share the common goal in this regard.

On the human rights issue, he said it is normal that China and the United States hold some different views as they are under different national conditions. We are of the opinion that China and the United States should conduct dialogue and exchange of views on the basis of equality and mutual respect and non-interference in the other's internal affairs.

At the request of the congressional leaders, Hu also briefed them on the situation after China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO). He said the entry into the WTO marks a new stage for China's reform and opening up and will provide more business opportunities and better investment environment to foreign enterprises including those from the United States. He promised that Chinese government would firmly honor its WTO commitments.

The congressmen welcomed Hu to the U.S. and expressed the view that development of Sino-U.S. ties is beneficial to the two countries. They congratulated China on its accession to the WTO and expressed the wish to continue dialogues and cooperation with China on issues of common interests.