BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao here Wednesday said China hopes the United States to honor its promiseson the Taiwan issue, and that the US Congress to understand the issue correctly and handle it cautiously.

    Wen made the remarks in his meeting with Ted Stevens, president pro tempore of the United States Senate, who arrived in Beijing onSunday for an eight-day visit.

    More efforts should be made on things "conducive to the stability of the Taiwan Strait," Wen told Stevens.

    Wen reiterated the principled stance of the Chinese government on national unification, stressing that Taiwan is an integral partof the Chinese territory.

    Such a fact has been recognized in the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation and Resolution 2758 of the United Nations General Assembly, the Chinese premier said.

    Each US administration since China and the United States established diplomatic ties has stated that it would adhere to theone-China policy, and President George W. Bush has often reiterated his opposition to Taiwan independence.

    Stevens and Daniel K. Inouye, one of the eight US Senators withthe delegation, said that the United States attaches importance toUS-China relations and supports the China policy adopted by all USpresidents since 1972.

    Sovereignty and territorial integrity are important to any country, Inouye said.

    The delegation affirmed the US position that there is only one China, and Taiwan is part of China.

    The US Senate is ready to enhance dialogue with China's National People's Congress on issues of common concern, the members said.

    On bilateral relations, Wen said sound growth of Sino-US ties is conducive to world peace, stability and development.

    Wen said that three conclusions could be drawn from the historyof the Sino-US relations:

    First, harmonious co-existence between China and the United States brings benefits to both, while confrontation harms both.

    Second, China and the United State share common interests and must cooperate.

    Third, the maintenance of the sound Sino-US relations is conducive to the peace, stability and development of the entire world.

    The healthy and stable growth of Sino-US relations conforms to the fundamental interests of the two countries and their people, Wen said.

    Wen said that so long as both sides handle bilateral relations with a strategic and long-term view, respect each other, seek common ground, leave differences aside and maintain dialogue and exchanges, the two countries can co-exist peacefully and cooperatein a wide range of areas.

    Wen briefed the guests on China's economic situation. The development of China is a major contribution to global peace and prosperity and also creates conditions for the expansion of Sino-US economic relations, he said.

    He urged the two countries to seize all available opportunitiesand make full use of all advantages in markets, human resources, capital and technology for the steady growth of bilateral trade.

    Stevens and his delegation, which also includes Senate MajorityLeader Bill Frist, were invited to China as the guests of China's top legislator Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee.

    The delegation left Beijing for Gansu Province in northwest China Wednesday afternoon, continuing its eight-day visit. Enditem