During his Beijing visit on Sunday, US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte called for the United States and China to become partners in bringing about global stability and peace.

 

Speaking at a press conference at the US embassy in Beijing, Negroponte announced that the United States wishes to collaborate with China to this end, benefiting both countries and the rest of the world.

 

"The United States encourages China to play a responsible role on the international stage and appreciates China's positive contributions to promoting peace and stability," he said.

 

Since arriving on Saturday, Negroponte has met with State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, as well as Vice-Foreign Ministers Dai Bingguo and Yang Jiechi respectively.

 

"We enjoyed good and frank discussion in each of the meetings, focusing on bilateral and strategic issues including Korean (peninsula) nuclear issue, regional security, the war on terrorism and trade," he said.

 

Negroponte's Beijing visit forms the second leg of an Asian trip that has seen him visit Japan before moving on next week to the Republic of Korea.

 

This is his first official trip abroad since accessing to the post of deputy secretary of state on Feb. 27.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 5, 2007)