On June 29, 2008, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

Rice said she has just visited the quake-hit region in China, adding that she was impressed by the progress of China's relief efforts, as well as the great spirit of the people there to rebuild their homes. The U.S. side is ready to continue offering aid to China, she said.

Yang once again expressed appreciation for the profound condolences expressed and enormous aid offered by the U.S. government and people from all walks of life to China following the Wenchuan earthquake.

Yang made positive comments on the substantial progress of Sino-U.S. relations in recent years, saying that to develop bilateral ties is in the fundamental interest of the two countries and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of this region and the world at large. In the next phase, China and the United States will be confronted with crucial opportunities and challenges, which call for both to follow the trend of constructive cooperation, strengthen dialogue and exchanges from a strategic and long-term perspective, earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and properly deal with sensitive issues of each other's concern, so as to push for sustained, steady development of Sino-U.S. relations, Yang said.

Rice said that the U.S.-China constructive relations are on a solid basis, and play an important role in regional and world peace and stability. The United States is willing to enhance dialogue and cooperation with China to deal with global issues and challenges, she said.

The two sides agreed to keep close collaboration to ensure the meeting between both heads of state on the sidelines of the G8 outreach summit to be held in July in Japan's Hokkaido to produce fruitful results.

Rice said that President Bush and she herself look forward to visiting Beijing for the Olympic Games in August, for which Yang expressed welcome. He thanked President Bush and the U.S. government for repeatedly reaffirming support of the Beijing Olympic Games.

Yang also expatiated on the Chinese government's policy and position on the Taiwan question in the new situation, voicing the hope that the United States will honor its commitments to adhere to the one-China policy, abide by the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques and oppose "Taiwan independence". China hopes that the U.S. will properly handle the Taiwan question and support a peaceful development of across-Strait relations.

Expounding her country's position on the Taiwan question, Rice reiterated that the United States opposes "Taiwan independence" and hopes to see continued improvement of cross-Strait relations.

The two sides also agreed to conduct dialogue on human rights based on equality and mutual respect.

On the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Yang said the six-party talks and the denuclearization process on the Korean Peninsula have achieved "significant progress". But there is still a lot of work to be done in the following stage, he said. Yang said China is ready to work with all parties concerned to take the opportunity, overcome the difficulties and implement the remaining work in the second-phase in a comprehensive and balanced manner, so as to push the talks into a new stage.

Hailing the recent positive headway made in the six-party talks, Rice said relevant issues still need to be resolved. She thanked for China's important role in the six-party talks, expressing willingness to continue communication and cooperation with the Chinese side.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Iranian nuclear issue, Darfur issue and current situation in Zimbabwe.

Following the talks, Yang and Rice jointly met the press.