WASHINGTON, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and U.S. President George W. Bush met at the White House on Tuesday, agreeing to push forward with the constructive and cooperative relations between the two countries.

    During the meeting, Yang hailed the great development that two countries have achieved in the past seven years in enhancing China-U.S. relations, which he said also contributed to the peace, stability and development of the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

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U.S. President George W. Bush poses with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi for a photo at the White House in Washington July 29, 2008.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    He noted that Chinese President Hu Jintao and President Bush have set the direction for the future development of bilateral relations during their meeting held at the sidelines of the Hokkaido G8 summit in Japan earlier this month.

    China is willing to work with the United States to follow the direction and push forward with the constructive and cooperative relations between the two countries, Yang added.

    For his part, Bush told the visiting Chinese top diplomat that he is glad to see China-U.S. relations developing on a favorable momentum that the United States is committing to maintaining, and he also appreciates a good working relationship built with Chinese President Hu Jintao.

    On the coming Olympic games in Beijing, Yang expressed his welcome to Bush, who is set to attend the opening ceremony, and wished American athletes excellent performance in the competitions.

    Bush said, in return, that he looks forward to visiting China to attend the Olympic games' opening ceremony.

    On the issues of human rights and religion, Yang told the U.S. president that China would like to continue to exchange its views with the United States on basis of equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's domestic affairs, as a way to promote mutual understanding.

    He also noted at the meeting that the WTO's Doha Round trade negotiations are at a critical moment, and its success would help promote world economy growth, which is in the common interest of China, the United States and the international community.

    China hopes that all sides can work together to push forward with the negotiations and achieve a comprehensive and balanced result, he added.

    Yang also met with Stephen Hadley, assistant to the president for national security affairs.

Source: Xinhua