On November 16, 2005, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, who was participating in the 17th Ministerial Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Pusan, ROK, met with US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice.

Li said that in recent years, bilateral relations have witnessed steady development with fruitful mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas. In a few more days, President Bush will visit China and the leaders of both sides will exchange in-depth views on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues. China would like to work with the US to actively implement the consensus reached between the leaders of both sides, strengthen exchanges and mutual trust, expand consensus and cooperation, properly handle their differences in a constructive manner and advance bilateral constructive cooperative relations in the 21st century in an all-round manner.

Li pointed out that to properly handle the Taiwan question is the key to ensuring steady development of bilateral relations. China appreciates the US for expressing adherence to the one-China policy and compliance with the three China-US Joint Communiqués on many occasions and opposing "Taiwan independence" and hopes that the US will work with China to oppose and contain "Taiwan independence" and safeguard peace across the Taiwan Straits and the overall situation of bilateral relations.

Rice indicated that China, as a large country that is developing, has played a more important role in international affairs. The US gives top priority to relations with China and hopes to maintain high-level exchanges with China. President Bush is looking forward to his up-coming visit to China and his meetings with Chinese leaders.

Rice reaffirmed that the US adheres to the one-China policy, stressing that this policy will not change.

Both sides also discussed the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and other matters, indicating that they will make joint efforts to maintain the momentum of Beijing six-party talks and strengthen communication and coordination in this regard.