By Prensa Latina
Beijing : Chinese President Hu Jintao called on US authorities on Tuesday to handle the issue of Taiwan prudently, where secessionist forces are trying to separate the island from China.
The Chinese leader told US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is here on a visit, that China wants to work with Washington to strongly dissuade the separatist forces from carrying out risky activities.
He added that his government is willing to handle its long-term bilateral relations with the United State from a strategic approach to strengthen dialogue and consultations, and to promote understanding and mutual confidence.
Rice arrived in Beijing on Tuesday morning for a 24-hour visit. She met with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, Council of State member Tang Jiaxuan and President Hu Jintao.
Foreign Minister Yang expressed satisfaction with Rice’s stance against Taiwan’s referendum on the island’s joining the United Nations, scheduled for March 22.
As the United Nations has repeatedly rejected Taiwan’s efforts to join the international organization, China thinks the referendum is a stratagem to declare a de jure independence, which Beijing will oppose.
The head of Chinese diplomacy thanked Rice for her recognition of a single China.
We hope the United States will take measures, if necessary, and make joint efforts with China to fight secessionist activities aimed at seeking Taiwan’s independence, Yang pointed out.
Although the United States is Taiwan’s major arms supplier, Rice repeated that her government opposes the referendum, because it would not be either useful or constructive in fact.