Tang told a press conference of the Fifth Session of the Ninth National People's Congress that China and the United States should seek common ground and shelve differences in building up their relations, as Sino-US relationship is of vital importance to world peace and security.

Tang said, the two countries should share common interests and views and reserve differences.

The two countries should treat each other sincerely, Tang said.

He said during the meeting between Chinese President Jiang Zemin and US President Bush in February, the two sides reached common understanding after exchanging views and carrying out consultations on the basis of mutual benefit and reciprocity.

Tang said the planned visits to the United States by Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Vice-President Hu Jintao this year will offer an opportunity for further improving and developing Sino-US relations.

Tang expressed China's willingness to work jointly with the United States to reduce differences, expand common ground, and promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation on the basis of the three Sino-US joint communiques.

However, Tang Jiaxuan said that Taiwan still remains the most important and sensitive core issue in Sino-US relations. He urged the United States to abide by its commitment to China on the Taiwan issue.

President Bush has reiterated during his recent visit to China that the US will stick to the "One China" policy and remain committed to the three Sino-US joint communiques on bilateral relations, Tang said.

Tang again expresses China's opposition of the "Taiwan Relations Act" by the United States.

He said: "China has always opposed the 'Taiwan Relations Act' of the United States, ever from the very beginning".

The so-called "Taiwan Relations Act" is only a unilateral document of the United States, he said.

(China Daily March 6, 2002)