On September 21, 2001, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan held talks with US Secretary of State Powell in Washington. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on China-US relations and international and regional issues of common concern.

Tang said that following the terrorists attacks on the US, President Jiang Zemin expressed, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, deep sympathy to President Bush, the US government and people, and profound condolences to the families of the victims. Tang said that the attacks have not only brought about a disaster to the US people, but also a challenge to world peace and security.

Powell said that the US government expressed thanks to the Chinese government and people. The US expresses profound condolences for the Chinese killed in the incident and sympathy to the families of the victims. He said that the US side is ready to strengthen cooperation with China and other countries to jointly combat the threat posed to humankind by international terrorism.

Powell said that President Bush looks forward to his visit to China and hopes to establish better relations with China through the visit. Powell congratulated China on its upcoming accession to the WTO.

Tang expounded China’s principled position on the Taiwan question. He expressed the hope that the US side will properly handle the Taiwan question from a strategic high and long-term view. Powell said that the US side understands the importance and sensitivity of the Taiwan question. He reaffirmed that the US government continues to uphold the one-China principle and abide by the three China-US joint communiqués.

The two sides reached the following agreements.

I  The Chinese and US sides will step up preparations for the summit between President Jiang Zemin and Bush and President Bush’s visit to China. The two sides should make joint efforts to make the summit and visit a success.

II  The two sides emphasized the importance of consultation and cooperation between the two countries in the anti-terrorism field and agreed to hold anti-terrorist consultations at expert level in the near future. The two countries also agreed to strengthen consultation and cooperation in the UN Security Council.

III The two sides agree that it is of great importance to maintain constant dialogue between the two Foreign Ministries. Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Wang Yi will visit the US respectively early next year at the invitation of the US State Department and hold political consultations at the vice-foreign minister level and policy consultations on Asia and the international situation.

IV  The two sides believe that the spread of Aids has become a serious threat to humankind and agree to strengthen international cooperation in the fight against aids.

V  The two side will hold inter-governmental human rights dialogue in the near future according to the agreements already reached.