On May 1, 2002, U.S. President George W. Bush met with Vice President Hu Jintao in the Oval Office at the White House.

Bush welcomed Hu to the U.S. Hu conveyed greetings from President Jiang Zemin to Bush. Bush expressed thanks and asked Hu to pass on his greetings to Jiang.

Bush said the U.S. government and he himself attach great importance to the U.S.-Sino relations. Both the U.S. and China are great countries and the cooperation between them is of vital importance to both countries and the world as a whole. Bush noted that he has twice visited China since last year and held successful meetings with President Jiang Zemin. He looks forward to Jiang's visit to the U.S. in fall this year.

Hu said his current visit is aimed at implementing, together with the U.S. side, the consensus President Jiang had reached with President Bush at their summit in Beijing, and further promoting the sound and stable development of Sino-U.S. relations. The Chinese government and leaders have always attached importance to the development of Sino-U.S. relations and believe that the broad common interests and the basis for cooperation shared by the two countries far outweigh their differences. A sound relationship between China and the United States conforms to the desire of the two peoples, and is conducive to peace, stability and development of the whole world.

Hu stressed that the question of Taiwan bears upon China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and is the most important and sensitive issue in the Sino-U.S. relations. The Taiwan issue, if not handled properly, would have a negative impact on the stability and development of Sino-U.S. relations.China hopes the U.S. side earnestly abide by the One-China policy and the principles in the three Sino-U.S. Joint Communiques and play a constructive role in China's peaceful reunification.

Bush said the U.S. side understands the sensitivity of the Taiwan issue, adding that his administration adheres to the One-China policy and abides by the three U.S.-China Joint Communiques. This policy has not changed.

The two sides also exchanged views on anti-terrorism, economy and trade and other issues of common concern.