BEIJING, May 12 (UPI) -- State-run media in China Wednesday quoted Henry Kissinger as saying he welcomes the ongoing talks between China and Taiwanese opposition parties.
Kissinger made the remark during a meeting with Chinese Minister of Defense Cao Gangchuan, according to Xinhua, the state-run official news agency.
Xinhua said Kissiner termed the mainland visits by Lien Chan of the KMT and the PFP's James Soong as historic and that peaceful resolution of the Taiwan Straits issue would be welcomed by the U.S. government.
The former U.S. Secretary of State suggested the United States and China build a new framework of cooperation, urging both sides to make joint efforts to improve bilateral ties.
Cao, who is also a vice chairman of China's powerful Central Military Commission, said Taiwan remains the biggest challenge in Sino-U.S. relations.
He reiterated China's hope that the United States will adhere to a one-China policy, abide by the three joint communiqués and support dialogues and exchanges across the Taiwan Strait.
Kissinger was visiting China at the invitation of China Institute for International Strategic Studies.
