On November 12, 2003, President Bush met with former Vice Premier Qian Qichen at the White House. Bush felt glad over Qian Qichen's attendance of a China-US relations forum held in Texas A&M University, saying the forum was a success.

Bush asked Qian to transfer his regards to President Hu Jintao, President Jiang Zemin and Premier Wen Jiabao, and said he was looking forward to Premier Wen's upcoming visit to the US. Qian also sent the regards of Hu, Jiang and Wen to Bush, over which Bush expressed his thanks.

Bush noted that the US government and he himself attach great importance to China-US relations. He felt satisfied with the positive progress of bilateral relations in the recent years. He said that China-US cooperation is of great importance to both countries and the whole world. The US side is ready to make joint efforts with China to elevate bilateral relations to a new high.

Qian said that a sound China-US relationship is in accordance with interests of both peoples and people all over the world. Both countries enjoy a wide scope of common interests and broad space for cooperation. He hopes China and US could strengthen dialogue and exchange, expand cooperation in various fields and push forward bilateral constructive relations of cooperation.

Both side exchanged opinions on other issues of common concern.

   (from http://www.fmprc.gov.cn)