On January 15, 2003, Vice Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met with visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs James Kelly at the Foreign Ministry. The two sides exchanged opinions on Sino-US relations and the North Korea nuclear issue.

Describing the general developing momentum of Sino-US relations as good, Li pointed out that Sino-US relations are faced with both opportunities and challenges. He expressed the hope that both sides will seize opportunities and head off challenges, so as to promote further improvement and development of bilateral relations in the New Year. Li stressed that to appropriately handle the Taiwan question is the key to ensuring the sound development of Sino-US relations. He also said that the Chinese side pays great attention to the position President Bush reiterated while he was in Crawford with President Jiang Zemin, namely, the US will adhere to the One China policy, observe the three joint communiqués between the US and China, and oppose the independence of Taiwan. Li said that China hopes that the US will honor its commitment and avoid sending wrong signals to the “Taiwan Independence” forces.

On the DPRK nuclear issue, Li said that the Chinese side firmly holds that peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula should be maintained. China supports the de-nuclearization of the Peninsula, opposes the emergence of nuclear weapons in the Peninsula and advocates for a peaceful settlement of the issues through dialogue. He said that China disagrees with the move of North Korea to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Li pointed out that dialogue is the most effective approach to resolve the issue, and the Chinese side is willing to coordinate with all related parties to help deliver an early peaceful resolution of the DPRK nuclear issue.  

Kelly noted that the US side feels satisfied with the recent progress of the Sino-US relations and is willing to enhance high-level contacts and strengthen cooperation with China in various fields. On the Taiwan question, US supports President Bush’s commitment to adhering to the One China policy while in Crawford with President Jiang Zemin. He said that the US expresses deep concern over the increased tension caused by the DPRK's withdrawal from the NPT, and expresses the hope that the international community will make joint efforts to achieve an early peaceful solution through diplomatic channels.