US President George W. Bush said on Wednesday that he looks forward to meeting with President Hu Jintao this year and believes the exchange of visits between the two leaders will be of positive results.

Bush made the remarks during a meeting with visiting State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan in the White House. Bush also extended his welcome for Tang's visit to the US.

For his part, Tang said that it will be of great significance for the two presidents to have an exchange of visits this year, and a sit will be very beneficial for dialogue, mutual trust and cooperation between the two sides and will promote the Sino-US constructive and cooperative relations.

It is in the interests of both China and the US to further develop the Sino-US relations and it also contributes to peace, stability and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world, Tang said.

Tang also delivered a letter from the president to Bush during the meeting.

In addition to Bush, Tang also met with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, US national security adviser Stephen Hadley and US Treasury Secretary John Snow on Wednesday.

(Xinhua News Agency July 28, 2005)