Jiang: Taiwan issue central to U.S. ties

Jiang with Evans. During the meeting, Evans expressed U.S. support for China's development

HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- Chinese President Jiang Zemin has warned the United States over Washington's relationship with Taiwan, saying Sino-U.S. ties have been plagued by problems that could have been avoided.

Winding up a visit to Beijing, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans was told by Jiang on Tuesday that the issue of Taiwan was crucial and central to Sino-U.S. ties, official media reported.

Jiang said that he hopes for better ties and economic relations with the United States but stressed that this was dependent on Washington adhering to the one-China policy and other Sino-U.S. joint communiqués, the China Daily reported.

The United States should honor these policys "so that China-U.S. relations and economic cooperation and trade have a good climate to grow in," Jiang was quoted as saying in a Xinhua report.

Beijing considers Taiwan a renegade province and part of China since they spilt and were governed separately following the communist victory on the mainland in 1949.

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China has maintained its intention to reunify with Taiwan under the 'One China' policy, even if it requires war, and has warned that any moves to declare Taiwan independent would be met with force.

For its part, Washington's policy is for the peaceful achievement of the 'one China policy'.

The U.S. has indicated, however, that it would defend Taiwan in the event of conflict, although the exact details of its commitment to the island's security have traditionally been left ambiguous. (More on the U.S.-Taiwan-China issue)

'Avoidable' problems

Jiang told Evans that despite recent progress in economic, anti-terrorism and technological relations, bilateral ties had been marred by problems that could have been avoided, the China Daily reported.

Beijing had expressed its disapproval over the invitation from Washington for Taiwan Defense Minister Tang Yiau-ming to visit the U.S.

It was also outraged by a Pentagon report which had China on a list of seven countries that are potential nuclear targets.

Also, a bill was passed by U.S. Congress supporting Taiwan's entry to the World Health Organization as an observer, much to Beijing's disappointment.

U.S. President George W. Bush has taken a tougher stance towards China since coming into power last year and has repeated his willingness to defend Taiwan against any mainland aggression.

Jiang and Bush have met twice, both stressing the importance of strong bilateral ties.

U.S. support

Bush met Hu in February. They will meet again in Washington.

During talks with Evans, Jiang said that fast-tracking an increase in living standards and economic development were his primary goals, adding that Beijing was "willing to develop friendly co-operation with the United States," China Daily reported.

Evans expressed the United States' support for China's development, the report said, and hoped that his department would contribute to better bilateral ties.

"It is clear to me that China is on an exciting path toward a market economy. During this visit, I have felt the energy and enthusiasm of the people of China, and I share their high hopes for a bright future, and for building even stronger ties between our two countries," Evans said in a U.S. Department of Commerce statement.

Evans was in China for the 14th conference of the China-U.S. Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT).

A number of agreements were signed including several U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) grant agreements to provide funding for Chinese projects in electronic commerce, renewable energy, environment and aviation, China Daily reported. (More)

Meanwhile, Sino-U.S. ties are set to be given a boost with the visit of Jiang's heir apparent, Vice President Hu Jintao, to Washington.

Hu, currently in Malaysia, will stop off in Singapore before heading to the United States.

There, Hu will meet Bush, with the sensitive issue of Taiwan expected to be on the diplomatic agenda. (Analysis of Hu's visit)

It is also an opportunity for U.S. officials to gauge Hu, who has remained something of an enigma internationally since he became a member of China's supreme Politburo Standing Committee in 1992.