PREMIER Li Peng described a forthcoming summit between American President Bill Clinton and Chinese leader Jiang Zemin as important, but stressed Beijing would not trade its principles for better ties with Washington.
In a wide-ranging interview with Hong Kong-based magazine Wide Angle, Mr Li said the two countries should maintain a stable and constructive relationship.
''China is willing to develop relations and have good co-operation with the United States,'' he said.
He urged Washington to ''increase trust, reduce troubles, develop co-operation and avoid confrontation''.
The two-hour interview was published by Xinhua (the New China News Agency) yesterday.
Mr Li said a meeting between top leaders of the two countries was a good thing and of great significance.