Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), was speaking during a meeting with a US Senate delegation headed by William H. Frist, Senate majority leader.

Wu spoke highly of the continuous improvement and development of the Sino-US relationship, adding it was natural for the two countries to have different opinions.

Bilateral relations could maintain a sound and stable development if the two countries positively preserved and expanded common interests and handled the differences properly in the spirit of mutual respect and equality, he said.

The NPC attached importance to exchanges and cooperation with the US Congress, Wu said, noting the bilateral exchanges have been frequent and regular in recent years.

Wu said the Chinese side valued the delegation's China tour, saying that it is a high-level direct political dialogue between the NPC and the US Congress.

Frist said the United States and China enjoyed wide-ranging cooperation and the continuous development of bilateral relations was in the interest of both sides.

The US Senate attached importance to friendly exchanges with the NPC and hoped the visit could enhance bilateral ties. The Senate was considering setting up a mechanism for exchange and consultation with the NPC, Frist said.

Wu reiterated China's principled stance on the Taiwan issue and the US delegation expressed the Senate's support for the US government's decision to adhere to the one-China policy.

(Xinhua News Agency April 22, 2003)