They agreed that the third summit in 12 months between the two statesmen will do much to deepen bilateral understanding and build up mutual trust.

Jiang is due to fly to the United States tomorrow. The visit will culminate in what is expected to be a cordial get-together with Bush at his Crawford ranch on Friday.

Jiang and Bush are expected to exchange ideas on bilateral ties, the economy and trade, military cooperation and other major issues of global concern, officials said.

Yang Jiechi, China's ambassador to the US, said there have been new characteristics to their bilateral ties in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attack, with Sino-US relations having generally improved.

The two presidents have reached significant consensus on developing a constructive, cooperative relationship during their last two meetings in Shanghai and Beijing, said Yang, a reference to the APEC summit last October in Shanghai and Bush's state visit to Beijing in February.

He said that the two statesmen had exchanged views on many occasions during the past few months on major international events and bilateral ties via the telephone and in written correspondence.

Yang said the two nations share broad and significant common interests in maintaining peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region and across the world, and promoting national and global economic growth and prosperity.

Meanwhile, the two nations shoulder responsibilities on combating terrorism, preventing the spread of weapons of massive destruction, as well as curbing environmental degradation, said Yang.

His view was shared by US Ambassador to China Clark T. Randt, Jr., who said the US seeks a candid, constructive and cooperative relationship with China, and welcomes the emergence of a strong, peaceful and prosperous China.

The Unites States seeks to work together with China to promote the preservation of global and regional peace, stability and prosperity, he said.

"I sincerely believe that our bilateral relations have never been better and that this trend will continue,'' the US ambassador said.

Frequent high-level exchanges have served to reduce our misunderstandings, and increase our mutual understanding, thereby reducing differences and possible sources of tension, he added.

However, Yang urged the US to take action to honor its commitment to the three joint communiques and not support Taiwan's independence, not send the "wrong signal'' to the Taiwan independence movement and to play a constructive role in China's moves for peaceful reunification.

The Taiwan question is always the most important and sensitive core issue in Sino-US relations, Yang said, reiterating that properly solving the question is key to developing sound and stable Sino-US relations.

China hopes that the US can realize the danger posed by independence movements, which present the biggest stumbling block to peaceful reunification and a pose a threat to peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region, said Yang.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell, in an interview with Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV broadcast on Friday, reiterated that the US Government is very much committed to the one-China policy and the three joint communiques, and President Bush will reaffirm them again to President Jiang Zemin during the meeting.

Powell said the United States regards China as a friend. And since its entry into the WTO economically its highly significant on the world stage.

"It is quite possible for our two nations with different political systems and different beliefs to cooperate to narrow differences and to support one another,'' he said.

(People?s Daily October 21, 2002)