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 China's growth contributes to peace  By Sun Shangwu (China Daily)  Updated: 2006-04-21 14:37  WASHINGTON -- Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao 
told US business and political leaders that China's future growth will require a 
peaceful environment, and, its growth will only contribute to regional and world 
peace.
  "China must pursue a path of peaceful development if it is to meet 
the goal of modernizing itself," Hu said Thursday in a speech delivered at the 
dinner hosted by some friendly organizations, including the US-China Business 
Council, the National Committee on US-China Relations and the US Chamber of 
Commerce. 
  
 
 
   Chinese President Hu 
 Jintao calls for the audience to take their seats as he prepares to 
 deliver his speech in Washington April 20, 2006. 
 [Reuters] |    The Chinese top leader said that 
China's decision is deeply rooted in its historical and cultural 
tradition.
  "The path of peaceful development embodies the national trait 
fostered in the Chinese culture over several thousand years and accords with the 
lofty pursuit of the Chinese people who love and value peace." 
  Such a 
decision also conforms to the trend of the times and is in keeping with human 
progress, said Hu, noting that China plays a "responsible and constructive role" 
in promoting world peace and development.
  He put forward six-point 
proposal to advance China-US relations, which is believed by leaders of the two 
countries to "have gone far beyond bilateral context and become increasingly 
global in importance."
  Hu made the speech after hosting summit with US 
President George W. Bush, during which the two leaders agreed that there are 
many strategic interests between the two countries. Hu's proposals 
include:
  * Increase understanding, expand common ground and build 
long-term and stable constructive and cooperative China-US relations.
  * 
Seize opportunities, be creative, consolidate and expand the foundation for 
bilateral economic co-operation and trade.
  The two countries should 
encourage companies to build strong business ties and explore new opportunities 
in such sectors as telecommunication, environmental protection and services and 
strengthen strategic consultation on energy.
  China will continue to honor 
its World Trade Organization accession commitments, expand market access, 
strengthen protection on intellectual property rights and increase import from 
US. While US should take positive steps to promote the growth of business 
ties.
  * Adhere to principle, honor commitment and properly handle the 
question of Taiwan in accordance with the three China-US Joint 
Communiques.
  China will continue to make every effort and work together 
with Taiwan compatriots with every sincerity to ensure the peaceful and stable 
development of cross-Straits relations and China's peaceful 
reunification.
  But China will never allow the "Taiwan independence" 
secessionist forces to split Taiwan from China under any name or in any 
form.
  China appreciates US Government's commitment on one-China policy 
and opposition to "Taiwan independence" and urges it to honour its 
commitment.
  * Maintain close consultation, take up challenge and 
strengthen communication and coordination on major international and regional 
issues. 
  China is ready to deepen anti-terror co-operation with US on 
thee basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit, work with US to uphold 
international non-proliferation regime, properly address the Iranian nuclear 
issue through diplomatic means and negotiation and continue to peacefully 
resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through the six-party 
talks.
  * Draw on each other's strengths and strengthen friendly exchanges 
between the two peoples.
  The two countries should step up co-operation in 
science and technology, culture and education, increase exchanges between media 
and think tanks, between provinces and cities as well as among young 
people.
  * Respect each other, treat each other as equals and view 
differences in a proper context and manage them properly.
  China will 
continue to reform its political structure, develop socialist democracy, expand 
citizens' orderly participation in political affairs and ensure that people 
exercise democratic election, democratic decision making, democratic management 
and democratic monitoring in accordance with the law.
  China will keep 
advancing human rights in the course of its social development and the Chinese 
people fully enjoy freedom of religious belief as provided by law.
  Due to 
different national conditions, it is normal for China and US to disagree on some 
issues and they should seek common ground while shelving differences and conduct 
consultations on an equal footing.
  "Hu's speech is very good, especially 
on the economic side," said Michael Green, an expert from the Center for 
Strategic & International Studies, which is one of the hosts of the 
dinner.
  China has made concrete efforts to push bilateral economic and 
trade relations, including the purchase of US commodities as well as the promise 
of reforming the Renminbi exchange rate regime, said Green in an interview with 
China Daily after the speech.
  US has higher expectation on China in 
security sector, hoping China to play a bigger role in resolving nuclear issues 
of Iran and on Korean Peninsula, said Green.   
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