On the morning of February 24, 2003, Vice President Hu Jintao met with US Secretary of State Colin Powell at the Great Hall of the People.

Hu Jintao said that in line with the consensus reached between Chinese President Jiang Zemin and US President George W. Bush at Crawford in the United States, the two countries have recently kept up frequent high-level dialogue, strengthened cooperation in counter-terrorism, economy and trade, and had close contacts and consultations on major international issues such as Iraq and the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. He described the growth of bilateral relations as generally good, adding that China is ready to work with the United States to maintain and advance the positive momentum in the development of Sino-US relations.

Hu pointed out that the key to the steady development of bilateral relations is that the two sides treat their relations from a long-term strategic perspective, try to expand consensus, enhance cooperation of mutual benefit and handle differences with caution. Noting that the Taiwan question concerns China's sovereignty, territorial integrity and fundamental interests, Hu said he hopes the United States would abide by the One China policy and principles enshrined in the three Sino-US joint communiqués, and stick to its opposition to "Taiwan's independence" so as to play a constructive role in the realization of China's peaceful reunification.
　
Hu said that the Iraqi issue and the DPRK nuclear issue are two hot issues concerned by the international community. The Chinese side has always urged the Iraqi side to implement the resolutions of the Security Council of the United States comprehensively, faithfully and strictly, and to really rid off any weapons of mass destruction. He also said that China maintains the issue should be solved politically within the framework of the UN. On the DPRK nuclear issue, he said that China advocates for the non-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and holds that peace and stability of the Peninsula should be kept. Hu noted that history has proven only through dialogue and consultation can the issue be appropriately solved. He expressed his wish that US and DPRK carry out direct dialogue, adding China will work together with the international community to make further efforts to deliver a political resolution of both Iraqi issue and the DPRK nuclear issue.

Powell conveyed the greetings of US President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. He noted that US-China relations have made important progress in many fields. He said that President Bush and the US government are willing to build a closer relationship with China and strengthen cooperation with China. He said that the US understands the Taiwan question is a core question sensitive to China, and the US government will adhere to the One China policy, honor the commitment outlined in the three communiqués between US and China. Powell also briefed the Chinese side on the policy and consideration of its next step on the Iraqi and DPRK nuclear issues.