On the afternoon of February 26, 2008, Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Zhongnanhai.

Speaking positively of the China-U.S. relations, Tang said the steady growth of bilateral relations is in the interest of both peoples and also makes an important contribution to the peace, stability and development of the world. Sound and continuously growing China-U.S. relations are the common aspiration of both peoples. Tang suggested the two countries should take a long-term perspective, work together to promote strategic mutual understanding, properly solve the Taiwan question, and continue to deepen the mutually-beneficial cooperation so as to push forward the healthy and steady growth of bilateral ties.

Rice said the China-U.S. ties have developed with good momentum, with the candid dialogue at a strategic level. The United States welcomed China's economic development, Rice said. As a responsible member in the international system, China has played a key role in global affairs, she added. The United States was ready to strengthen cooperation with China so as to promote the resolution of the issues facing the whole world, Rice said.

On the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Tang said the six-party talks had generally kept an advancing momentum. All parties involved should implement their promises and seek an appropriate resolution at the earliest date. He called for a full implementation of the second phase action plan and to create favorable conditions for the next phase of the talks. China was ready to maintain negotiations and coordination with all sides, and jointly push forward the development of the nuclear talks, Tang said. China would make a constructive contribution to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the normalization of diplomatic ties between the relevant countries, the changing of the war mechanism to the peace mechanism on the Korean peninsula, and the construction of a new security structure in northeast Asia, he added.

Rice said the United States applauded China's important role in the talks. The United States would continue to make a contribution on the process of the talks, and would like to strengthen cooperation with China on the issue.