China's Foreign Ministry said that President Hu Jintao and US President George W Bush spoke via telephone about the issues of Iraq and Taiwan. Bush reportedly briefed Hu on the draft resolution the US submitted to the United Nations several days prior to the phone conversation regarding transfer of power to Iraqis. Shortly after the draft resolution's submission, China proposed amending it to include a 2005 deadline for removal of US troops from Iraq and clauses giving Iraq greater authority over all foreign military actions excluding self defense. Bush reportedly told Hu he hoped China would continue to cooperate with the US regarding Iraq. The two leaders also discussed Taiwan, with Bush stating that he understood China's concerns regarding Taiwan. Bush said the US opposes Taiwanese independence and would continue to abide by the one-China policy and the three Sino-US joint communiqu�s.
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