Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with visiting US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld inside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing October 19, 2005. (Xinhua)

Chinese President Hu Jintao met with visiting US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld Wednesday in Beijing, calling for the two sides to make a concerted effort to further promote the relations between the two nations and two armies.

Hu, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, said that China-US relations have seen good growth on the whole, and that the leaders of the two nations maintain close connections and communication.

Hu described bilateral cooperation in economy and trade, anti-terrorism, nonproliferation of nuclear weapons and United Nations reform as "fruitful".

"When we met in New York not long ago, President George W. Bush and I reached an important consensus on pushing forward comprehensive Sino-US relations in the 21st century, which is of great significance in futhering bilateral ties", Hu said.

He pointed out that China and the United States are both very influential nations in the world with commensurate responsibilities that share common interests in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

"China attaches great importance to relations with the US and is willing to join hands with the US to further implement the three China-US joint communiques", Hu said.

He called on the two sides to increase exchanges and mutual trust, expand consensus and cooperation, and take a constructive attitude in handling sensitive issues in order to lay a solid foundation for the healthy, stable development of bilateral relations.

Hu also voiced his hope that the two defense departments would make joint efforts to score new progress in the relations between the two armed forces.

Rumsfeld expressed his congratulations to China's successful launch of a second manned spacecraft, Shenzhou-6, pointing out the significance for the US and China in furthering relations and strengthening cooperation with mutual benefits on important international issues.

He said he had an in-depth exchange of views with Chinese military leaders on promoting the relations between the two armies, expressing his hope for more exchanges in educational programs on military academies.

Rumsfeld arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a three-day visit as guest of his Chinese counterpart Cao Gangchuan. This is his first visit to China as Defense Secretary since he took office in January 2001, and the second visit by a US Defense Secretary since 2000.

Source: Xinhua