Basis of Sino-US Ties Still Valid, Says FM Spokesman

China said on Thursday the current guiding principles on the ties with the US are still valid and do not need to be redefined during the upcoming visit of US President George Bush.

"We believe the three joint communiques between the two countries already lay down the guiding principles of the bilateral relations are the basis for the establishment and development of the bilateral ties," foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan said on Thursday's regular press conference.

China has always considered the three previous Sino-US joint communiques -- the first was issued during the late president Richard Nixon's landmark tour to China in 1972 -- are the cornerstone of the ties with the United States.

In accordance with the texts, the two sides got a common view that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government and Taiwan is only a part of China.

"We are not in favour of the idea that the three joint communiques have been out of date," Kong said.

Kong also confirmed that Chinese President Jiang Zemin will hold a working summit with Bush in Beijing on February 21-22, during his second visit to China since taking office in January 2001.

He noted that Vice Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will visit the US from February 1 to 6 for a vice ministerial-level consultation and for the preparations for Bush's China tour.

(China Daily February 1, 2002)