2. Building and deepening bilateral strategic trust

The two sides are of the view that in the 21st century, global challenges are growing, countries are more interdependent, and the need for peace, development and cooperation is increasing. China and the United States have an increasingly broad base of cooperation and share increasingly important common responsibilities on many major issues concerning global stability and prosperity. The two countries should further strengthen coordination and cooperation, work together to tackle challenges and promote world peace, security and prosperity.

The two sides believed that to nurture and deepen bilateral strategic trust is essential to China-U.S. relations in the new era. During their discussions, the Chinese side said that it resolutely follows the path of peaceful development and a win-win strategy of opening-up, and is committed to promoting the building of a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity. The U.S. side reiterated that it welcomes a strong, prosperous and successful China that plays a greater role in world affairs. The United States stated that it is committed to working with other countries in addressing the most difficult international problems they face. China welcomes the United States as an Asia-Pacific nation that contributes to the peace, stability and prosperity in the region. The two sides reiterated that they are committed to building a positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship for the 21st century, and will take concrete actions to steadily build a partnership to address common challenges.

Both sides underscored the importance of the Taiwan issue in China-U.S. relations. The Chinese side emphasized that the Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and expressed the hope that the U.S. side will honor its relevant commitments and appreciate and support the Chinese side's position on this issue. The U.S. side stated that the United States follows its one China policy and abides by the principles of the three

Sino-U.S. joint communiqués. The U.S. side welcomes the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Straits and looks forward to efforts by both sides to increase dialogues and interactions in economic, political and other fields and develop more positive and stable cross-Straits relations.

The two sides reiterated that the fundamental principle of respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity is at the core of the three Sino-U.S. joint communiqués which guide China-U.S. relations. Neither side supports any attempts by any force to undermine this principle. The two sides agreed that respecting each other's core interests is extremely important to ensure steady progress in China-U.S. relations.

The two sides believe that China-U.S. cooperation on common global challenges will contribute to a more prosperous and secure world. They reaffirmed their commitment made on June 27, 1998 not to target at each other the strategic nuclear weapons under their respective control. The two sides believe that the two countries have common interests in promoting the peaceful use of outer space and agree to take steps to enhance security in outer space. The two sides agreed to discuss issues of strategic importance through such channels as the China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogues and military-to-military exchanges.

The two sides agreed to handle, through the existing channels of consultations and dialogues, military security and maritime issues in keeping with the norms of international law and on the basis of respecting each other's jurisdiction and interests.