On the morning of February 26, 2008, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Both sides exchanged in-depth views on China-U.S. relations as well as international and regional issues of common concern and reached broad consensus in a constructive way.

During the talks, Yang spoke highly of China-U.S. relations, saying that the relations had achieved important progress in recent years.   The consensus between presidents Hu Jintao and George W. Bush on pushing for China-U.S. constructive and cooperative relations had been put into practice gradually, and the two nations constantly expanded bilateral dialogue, exchanges and cooperation, he said.  This year, as the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, was important for the development of China-U.S. relations, Yang said, noting that the two sides should treat bilateral ties from a long-term perspective and strategic perspective. Yang said that the two nations should continue implementing important agreements reached between the two heads of state, firmly grasp the general direction of bilateral constructive and cooperative relations, increase dialogue, cooperation and mutual trust, and properly resolve sensitive issues so as to push for sustained and stable development of China-U.S. relations.

Rice said that the U.S. and China enjoyed a sound foundation for the development of bilateral relations. The two presidents had reached consensus on promoting bilateral ties, and the two nations had achieved sound cooperation in bilateral and global issues. This was conducive for creating a safe and peaceful environment for the world, she added. Rice said that bilateral economic and trade cooperation had produced important results for both sides and the strategic economic dialogue was fruitful. The United States considered China's development and prosperity as a good thing and was ready to develop more solid relations with China, Rice said.

China was more and more open, Rice said, applauding China's role in the Darfur question and other issues.   The United States was opposed to politicizing the Beijing Olympics, and President Bush and his family looked forward to attending the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, she noted.

Yang said the Taiwan question is a matter of China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and constitutes China's utmost concern.  Yang said that Chen Shui-bian and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led by Chen cling obstinately to "the referendum on UN membership" regardless of the opposition from the international community. He added that the question has already severely hampered peace and stability across the Straits and in the Asia Pacific region. He said the Chinese side appreciates the U.S.' and Rice's public statements against the Taiwan authorities' "referendum on U.N. membership", as well as the repeated statements on adherence to the one-China policy, abiding by the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques and opposition to "Taiwan independence". "We hope the U.S. side would adopt any methods if necessary and make joint efforts with China to combat the secessionist activities for 'Taiwan independence' in an aim to maintain the peace and stability across the Straits and safeguard the mutual strategic interests between the two nations," Yang was quoted as saying.

Rice stressed that the U.S. adheres to the one-China policy and opposes the Taiwan authorities' "referendum on U.N. membership". 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.

As to the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Yang said that with the joint efforts of all parties concerned, the six-party talks and the denuclearization process of the Korean Peninsula had achieved important progress.   China hoped that all parties would cherish these hard-won achievements, increase dialogue and consultations, and show further flexibility, in an effort to create conditions for overcoming current difficulties and pushing for the six-party talks, he noted.  China was ready to keep in close touch with the United States and other parties concerned to continue playing a positive role in pushing forward the six-party talks and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

Rice said the United States was pleased to see the progress made in the denuclearization process on the Korean Peninsula.   The United States would work with China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and other parties concerned to promote the denuclearization process and complete the work at the present phase as soon as possible, so as to move on to the next phase, she noted.

Yang and Rice also exchanged views on the Iranian nuclear issue, the Darfur issue and other international and regional issues.