On October 19, President Jiang Zemin and U.S. President Bush met with press together in Shanghai. Jiang said that China and the United States, two influential countries in the world, have common responsibilities and interests in safeguarding peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region and the world, promoting regional and global economic development and prosperity, and combating terrorism together with the international community.

China values its relations with the United States and is willing to work with the U.S. to develop a constructive relationship of cooperation, Jiang said.

Jiang said that he had good talks with President Bush. “It's our first meeting, and we had an in-depth exchange of views and reached consensus on a series of major issues including the Sino-U.S. relations, the fight against terrorism and safeguarding world peace and stability," he said.

"We are living in a world of diversity. It's no wonder there exist some differences between China and the United States as the two countries have different conditions," said the Chinese president, stressing that it's necessary for different civilizations and social systems to maintain long-term co-existence, seek common grounds while putting aside differences and pursue common development.

The relationship between China and the United States is facing important opportunities of development, Jiang said. The two countries will have high-level strategic dialogues, push forward exchanges and cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, energy and others, and enhance consultations and coordination on major international and regional issues.

Jiang expressed the belief that Sino-U.S. relations will keep moving forward as long as the two sides firmly stick to the common interests of the two countries and properly handle the bilateral relations, particularly the Taiwan issue, in accordance with the three Sino-U.S. joint communiqués.

Answering a question about the prospect of the Sino-U.S. relations, Jiang said that the development of international situation has repeatedly demonstrated that the two countries have extensive common interests in many major issues concerning the development of the human being, although there exist differences between the two countries.

He is pleased with the recent improvement in the Sino-U.S. relations, Jiang said, noting that the two countries have cooperated in the fight against terrorism and made headway in their economic and trade issues.

"China and the U.S. have varied conditions and it is normal there exist differences," the Chinese president said.

As long as the two sides respect each other and keep exchanges of views, the Sino-U.S. relations will be able to develop steadily, Jiang said.

While regarding the talks between the two leaders as very successful, Bush said that his coming to Shanghai shows his belief that China and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region are the United States' important partners of cooperation in combating terrorism and that there are close ties between the future of economic development in the U.S. and that in Asia.

The United States and Asian countries face common threats and have common prospects, Bush said, adding that all people wish to live in an era of more prosperity and peace.

Bush said that Shanghai is a great city to which he paid a visit 25 years ago. At that time, it was hard for him to imagine the outlook of Shanghai in the year 2001, he said, adding that Shanghai is really a very impressive city.

Bush said the United States and China share the view that international terrorism is a threat to both countries and that the two nations should stand side by side to fight their common threat.

Bush said China is a great country and the U.S. is willing to work together with China to develop a constructive relationship between the two countries.

The U.S. president expressed welcome to China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) at an early date and said he is convinced that the two countries share many common interests and they can do many things together.

It is understandable that it is impossible for such two great countries as the U.S. and China to have the same stance on all issues, Bush said.

But the two countries will respect each other while dealing with any difference, Bush said, terming the Sino-U.S. relations as candid and constructive.

The two leaders also explained their principles and stance on anti-terrorism during the meeting with more than 100 Chinese and foreign journalists.