Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said in Busan Wednesday that recent China-US relations have grown steadily, and that the two countries' mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields are fruitful.

Li made the remarks while meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on the sidelines of the two-day 17th APEC Ministerial Meeting which concluded Wednesday.

He said US President George W. Bush will visit China in a few days and that leaders of the two countries will have an in-depth exchange of views on China-US relations and major regional and international issues.

He said China is willing to join hands with the US to implement the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries on strengthening exchange and mutual trust, expanding consensus and cooperation, properly handling differences between the two sides by taking a constructive approach, and push ahead, in an all-round way, with the China-US constructive and cooperative relations in the 21st century.

He said properly handling the Taiwan issue is a key to ensuring a steady growth of China-US ties.

He said China appreciates the US' repeated reiteration that it sticks to the one-China policy, abides by the three China-US joint communiqués, and opposes "Taiwan independence."

He said China hopes the US will work together with China to oppose and contain "Taiwan independence" and safeguard the peace of the Taiwan Strait and the China-US relations which are of overall importance.

In response, Rice said that as a big developing country, China is playing an increasingly important role in international affairs.

She said the US attaches great importance to its relations with China and hopes to maintain high-level exchanges with China.

She said Bush is looking forward to his upcoming visit to China and meetings with Chinese leaders.

She reiterated the US' adherence to the one-China policy, stressing that this policy will not be changed.

Li and Rice also discussed the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula, agreeing to make joint efforts to maintain the momentum of the Beijing six-party talks on the issue, and to increase communication and coordination in this regard.

(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2005)