On the afternoon of March 7, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with former U.S. President George Bush at the Great Hall of the People.

Hailing the progress of China-U.S. relations in recent years, Hu appreciated Bush for always attaching importance to and showing care for China-U.S. relations. Hu also appreciated Bush's efforts to boost China-U.S. friendship. He said that to develop healthy, stable bilateral ties was in the common interest of both sides and had great significance for peace and development of the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large. China was willing to properly handle divergence and major concerns through dialogue and consultations and beef up bilateral exchanges and cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit in a bid to push for sound and stable development of China-U.S. constructive cooperative relations, Hu said.

He also briefed the former U.S. leader about China's consistent position on the Taiwan question and its preparations for the Beijing Olympic Games.

Calling U.S.-China relations the world's most important bilateral ties, Bush said that he was happy with the development of bilateral relations and expressed belief that U.S.-China relations will continue to maintain the momentum of positive development. As the honorary president of the U.S. delegation for the Olympic Games, Bush said he expected to be back in China in August to watch the Games. Calling the Olympics a world sports festival, Bush said that he opposed politicizing the event and expected a complete success for the Games.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Li Xiaolin and other officials attended the meeting.

Mr. Bush is visiting China at the invitation of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.