On the afternoon of June 1, 2003, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with US President George W. Bush on the sidelines of the informal South-North leaders dialogue meeting in Evian, France.

Hu said that as two important nations in the world, China and the United States bear major responsibility for maintaining peace and stability in the world and promoting common development of mankind. The two sides have extensive mutual benefits and the basis for cooperation on issues such as the fight against terrorism, crackdown on cross-border crimes, promotion of global economic growth, disease treatment and control and environmental protection. China would work together with the United States to push forward the China-US constructive relations of cooperation.

Bush said the US-China relations have enjoyed steady and healthy development. China is a great nation, with bright prospects. The US is willing to enhance cooperation with China in the fight against terrorism, economy, trade and other fields and will continue to be devoted to developing constructive relations of cooperation with China.

Briefing Bush on China's fight against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), President Hu emphasized that in the face of the sudden outbreak of the disease, the Chinese government and people have worked in unity and taked decisive measures, with good results achieved. He expressed the belief that after a certain period, China will effectively control the epidemic and eventually win the battle against it.

Bush spoke highly of China's great efforts and outstanding achievements in the fight against SARS and said the United States would continue to offer support and help to China in this regard.

President Hu reiterated China's principled stand on the Taiwan issue. He stressed that the Taiwan issue is always the most important and most sensitive core issue in the Sino-US relations. Upholding the basic principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems," the Chinese government will do its utmost to strive for reunification through peaceful means. The problem now is that the Taiwan authorities reject the One-China principle and the "pro-independence forces" in Taiwan are still carrying out all-out separatist activities. This has been the fundamental reason behind the tension in the Taiwan Straits region and the stagnation of cross-straits relations. Hu expressed the hope that the United States will strictly abide by its commitments on the Taiwan issue, handle the issue properly and not send wrong signals to the "pro-independence forces."


Bush said the US government will continue to follow the One-China policy, abide by the three joint communiques between the two countries and oppose "independence of Taiwan." This policy has not changed and will not change.

On the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Bush praised China's positive efforts leading to the convening of Beijing talks. Hu also briefed Bush on China's stance on the issue. The two leaders said the two countries will dedicate themselves to safeguarding peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and support the non-nuclearization of the peninsula. Problems should be solved peacefully through dialogue, and communication and cooperation should be maintained towards that end.

Bush invited Hu to visit the United States at a convenient time. Hu thanked Bush for the invitation and said that he would visit the US at an appropriate time and invited Bush to visit China again. He also said that China welcomes Vice President Dick Cheney visiting China sometime later this year. Bush replied that he would be glad to visit China again and Cheney is looking forward to his trip to China.