To mark the coming of the year 2008, CRI has interviewed Zhou Wenzhong, Chinese Ambassador to the United States. As reporter Qiu Wei tell us, Zhou Wenzhong was happy to review the development of Sino-US ties in 2007.

Reporter:

Zhou Wenzhong began the interview by offering New Year greetings to CRI listeners both at home and abroad, on behalf of the staff of the Chinese embassy in the States.

The Chinese Ambassador said 2007 was an important year for Sino-US ties, and bilateral ties have realised a series of achievements.

High ranking officials from both sides have maintained close communication. In June and September, President Hu Jintao and President George. W. Bush held talks during dialogue between the G8 and developing countries, and during the Informal APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting respectively.

He said the talks have proven to be successful with a series of common understandings being achieved. This has provided new impetus to the development of relations between the two sides.

He also noted that the two top leaders made instant communication on bilateral ties and important international and regional issue by exchanging frequent letters and telephone conversations.

Zhou said dialogue and consultation mechanisms at various levels on both sides have also been improved. In 2007, the two sides held a fourth strategic dialogue and the second and third strategic economic dialogues.

Strategic dialogues and strategic economic dialogues provide an important platform for deep and strategic communication between the two nations on politics and the economy. The National People's Congress of China and the US Senate and House of Representatives had active communication.

The Chinese ambassador said, in the past year, Sino-US trade cooperation has developed fast. And the two countries have become the second largest trading partner to each other. Communication over culture, education and youth has also been strengthened.

The most important and sensitive core issue in Sino-US ties is the Taiwan issue. Zhou said China appreciates the US' commitment to the One China policy and the three Sino-US joint communiqués, as well as their opposition to Taiwan independence and to the proposed referendum on UN membership.

Zhou Wenzhong also expressed his hope for improved Sino-US ties in 2008.

Sino-US ties face not only good opportunities to further develop, but also challenges that need to be handled properly. As two important and great countries in the world, China and the US have extensive common interests in maintaining world peace and stability and promoting the common development of the globe. They should shoulder important responsibility.

The Chinese ambassador also said he and his colleagues will steadily carry out China's policy towards the United States, and boost the constant development of constructive and cooperative relations between the two countries in the 21st century.

QW, CRI news