On July 2, 2004, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met with US Secretary of State Colin Powell at noon. The two sides summarized the recent progress in China-US relations, indicating that they would keep close contact, make joint efforts and further enhance bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

On the issue of US selling weapons to Taiwan, Li sternly pointed out that the Taiwan issue concerns the sovereignty, territorial integrity of China and the feeling of the 1.3 billion Chinese people. To adhere to the one-China policy and the principles of the three Sino-US joint communiqués is the political basis for the sound development of China-US relations. We are consistently opposed to the so-called Taiwan Relations Act as well as the US selling weapons to Taiwan under any pretext. Powell said the United States attaches importance to the position and concern of China. He added, President George Bush has reiterated on a number of occasions that the US abides by the one-China policy and does not support activities of any form aimed at Taiwan independence. This US position will not change.

The two sides also exchanged views on the fight against terrorism and the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula.