US Defence Secretary Robert Gates met China's President Hu Jintaoin the Great Hall in Beijing on November 6. He assured Hu Jintao that US is "categorically opposed to any moves by Taiwan toward independence.". His visit to China and talks were characterized by both parties as "candid but friendly" -- that raised US concerns about China's rapid military build-up and Iran's nuclear programme.
His assurance was later modified saying only that "The Chinese are concerned about the up-coming referendum in Taiwan which the United States also opposes." They no longer contain any reference to "independence". (Source: AFP, Nov 6; Taipei Times, Nov 7, 2007).