BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhuanet) -- The Chinese leaders and US National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice had an in-depth exchange of views on Sino-US ties as well as regional and international issues during her stay in China, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said Tuesday.

    When asked to comment on Rice's China trip at a regular press conference, Zhang said that China time and again reiterated that it and the United States are both influential nations in the world,and frequent high-level exchanges and dialogues are of great significance to promoting bilateral ties and maintaining stability in Asia and the world at large.

    During Rice's visit, Zhang said, Chinese leaders have made China's stance very explicitly to Rice. China attaches great importance to Sino-US relations and believes the consensus and shared interests of the two sides have been continually increasing.The importance of Sino-US relations has not decreased but has strengthened as the international situation keeps changing, she acknowledged.

    The Chinese side hoped that the two sides would continue dialogues to enlarge consensus and reduce disparities in compliance with the principles of mutual respect, equal treatment and seeking a common ground while reserving differences, Zhang said.

    China once again underlined the important status of the Taiwan issue in Sino-US relations to Rice. The Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to handle Taiwan issue properly is a crucial issue related to the sound and smooth development of Sino-US ties, she said, adding that China hoped that the US side will adhere the "one China" policy, and abide by the three US-China joint communiques and the commitment to opposing Taiwan independence.

    The Chinese side is convinced that Sino-US relations can have a sound and smooth development provided the US side follows its promise with concrete actions, Zhang said.

    Rice paid a short visit to China from July 8 to 9, at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing. China was the second leg of Rice's Asian tour, between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK).

    Rice also accompanied US President George W. Bush on a working visit to China in February, 2002. Enditem