24 July 2004	Saturday	06 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

BEIJING, July 23: Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on Friday told the commander of US forces in the Pacific that military exchanges with Taiwan must stop, given the "seriousness" of the cross-strait standoff.

"The United States should clearly understand the seriousness and sensitivity of the Taiwan situation," Li told Admiral Thomas Fargo, commander-in-chief of the US Pacific Command, who is in Beijing for talks.

"Only in so doing can the steady development of Sino-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait be maintained," he said according to the Xinhua news agency.

Mr Li said arms sales to Taiwan should be halted and the US must "stop its relevant military exchanges aiming to upgrade the substantial relationship with Taiwan", according to Xinhua.

Fargo responded that the United States, regarding China as its partner, had "noted" the Chinese concerns on the Taiwan issue, the agency reported.

"President Bush has reiterated time and again that the United States will stick to the one-China policy," Fargo was quoted as saying, referring to Beijing's position that there is only one China, and Taiwan is part of China. -AFP