Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with U.S. President George W. Bush during their meeting on the sidelines of the 14th Economic Leaders' Meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Hanoi, Nov. 19, 2006. -Xinhua

Chinese President Hu Jintao and US President George W. Bush agreed in Hanoi yesterday to further promote Sino-US relations and exchanged views on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and the Iranian nuclear issue.

The two presidents held talks on the sidelines of the two-day 14th Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum which began on Saturday.

SINO-US RELATIONS

Hu said China and the United States, as stakeholders and constructive cooperation partners, should strengthen dialogue, mutual trust and cooperation on major issues concerning the whole world and the common interests of mankind, and properly settle their disputes, so as to push forward bilateral constructive and cooperative relations.

Hu said both sides should, from a strategic and long-term perspective, adhere to the correct path of developing bilateral ties and promote bilateral constructive cooperation in an all-round way.

He said the Taiwan question should be properly handled as Bush and the U.S. government have repeatedly reiterated that they stick to the one-China policy, abide by the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques and oppose "Taiwan independence."

Hu expressed the hope that the U.S. side would honor its commitment and not send wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces, so as to safeguard Sino-U.S. strategic interests.

Hu said the two sides should also strengthen cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region so as to jointly safeguard and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

The two countries should enhance economic and trade cooperation of mutual benefit, as well as exchanges and cooperation in wide-ranging fields such as anti-terrorism, non-proliferation, defense, energy, aerospace, science, technology, education, culture, health and youth, Hu noted.

Agreeing with Hu on strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields, Bush said the U.S. side is ready to conduct various strategic dialogues and exchanges at various levels with China.

He said the U.S. side understands the sensitivity of the Taiwan question and its possible impact on the U.S.-China relations, and that the U.S. policy on this question remains unchanged.

Bush said bilateral economic and trade cooperation is dynamic, and that the U.S. side welcomes China's development and does not worry about competition brought about by China's development.

He said both sides would settle their economic and trade disputes on the basis of mutual respect.

During the meeting, Hu also voiced his pleasure at the steady and sound growth of bilateral relations.

Bush said Sino-U.S. relations, an important component of U.S. foreign policy, have developed well and the U.S. side will make due efforts to maintain good relations with China.

He said strengthening bilateral cooperation is conducive to world peace and prosperity, as well as the settlement of major international and regional issues.

NUCLEAR ISSUE ON KOREAN PENINSULA, IRAN

During the meeting with Bush, Hu also called for the settlement of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiation.

"We should stick to the direction of solving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue," Hu said.

The parties concerned should seek to solve the issue with wisdom and patience to realize the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula as soon as possible, he said.

China is willing to work with all parties concerned, including the United States, to promote the resumption of the six-party talks, reaffirm the commitments made by all sides in a joint statement adopted in September, 2005, and push forward the talks to make tangible progress, he said.

The six-party talks, which involve China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Russia, the United States, Japan and South Korea, have been stalled since November last year.

The international community should send a common signal, urging the DPRK to take right actions and move in the right direction, Bush said, adding that Washington hoped to seek a peaceful solution to the issue.

On Iran's nuclear issue, Hu urged calmness and patience from parties concerned to maintain engagement and dialogue with Iran, seek an effective solution to the issue, and create conditions for the resumption of relevant talks.

Bush said the United Nations Security Council should take a firm and reasonable position on the issue.

The Chinese president also briefed his U.S. counterpart on China's efforts to build a harmonious society.