China, U.S. Set for Talks

B E I J I N G, July 28 -- From the moment Colin Powell arrived in Beijing, it was clear that he wanted to try and mend fences — rather than build bigger ones.

Throughout the day, a host of smiles from China's entire top leadership, including the Foreign Minister, the Vice-Premier, the Prime Minister and the President.

"This [visit] shouldn't count, because it's so short," said President Jiang Zemin to Powell, laughing.

But it does count, and both sides were clearly determined to make the most of it.

"China and the U.S. have a strong common interest in seeing a stable Asia and world, where economies can thrive and security needs can be met," Powell said. "My presence here today is an example of trying to let the world see that we are not enemies and we're not looking for enemies. We're looking for ways to cooperate."

Tensions Easing Between Two Countries

So much has changed in just the past few weeks to help ease tensions between Washington and Beijing.

China has returned the downed American spy plane from Hainan Island. And the country just released three U.S.-based scholars who were convicted of spying for Taiwan.

And the country is feeling more self-confident and secure since wining the right to host the 2008 Olympic Games. Now, China's leaders want to improve relations with America, and shine on the world stage.

But there were some serious issues that were discussed between Powell and China's leaders behind closed doors. For one thing, the U.S. believes that China is selling illegal missiles and missile technology to Pakistan and Iran, in violation of the non-proliferation agreement signed last year. Human rights was another issue.

According to ABCNEWS radio reports, Powell said he talked about human rights, but did not mention specific cases.

"I was more interested in raising the whole issue of human rights and the rule of law, and treating people properly," he said. "And that was done in every single meeting."

But it was China — not Powell — that opened up the dialogue on these two controversial issues first, possibly, in hopes of increasing strategic talks between the two countries in the future.