Presidents Bush, Jiang Discuss Terrorism, North Korea(Joint press availability February 21) (3070)
Terrorism and North Korea headed the list of topics Presidents Bush
and Jiang Zemin discussed at their meetings in Beijing.
"We recognize that terrorism is a threat to both our countries, and I
welcome China's cooperation in our war against terror," Bush said
during a joint press availability with China's president February 21.
On North Korea, Bush said that he "was deeply concerned about a regime
that is not transparent and that starves its people." Bush reiterated
the U.S. offer to meet with the North Korean regime and asked for
China's help in conveying that message to North Korean leader Kim
Jong-il.
Alluding to his State of the Union message, which identified North
Korea as part of "the axis of evil," Bush explained that "not every
theater in the war against terror need be resolved with force. Some
theaters can be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue. And the
Chinese government can be very helpful."
On Taiwan, Bush said "China's future is for the Chinese people to
decide. Yet no nation is exempt from the demands of human dignity. All
the world's people, including the people of China, should be free to
choose how they live, how they worship, and how they work."
Bush characterized his talks with Jiang as "candid, and that's very
positive."
"The United States shares interests with China, but we also have some
disagreements," Bush said. "We believe that we can discuss our
differences with mutual understanding and respect."
Jiang said that China is ready to increase exchanges and cooperation
with the United States.
"I'm deeply convinced that so long as the two sides bear in mind the
larger picture, take a long-term perspective, and abide by the
principles in the three Sino-U.S. joint communiqués, the relationship
will make even bigger strides forward in the years ahead," Jiang said.
Jiang noted that, upon Bush's invitation, he will be visiting the
United States in October.
Following is the White House transcript of the press availability:
(begin transcript)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Beijing, People's Republic of China)
For Immediate Release
February 21, 2002
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT BUSH
AND PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN
IN PRESS AVAILABILITY
The Great Hall of the People
Beijing, People's Republic of China
1:15 P.M. (Local)
PRESIDENT JIANG: Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to
begin by extending on behalf of the Chinese government and people, a
warm welcome to President Bush.
This is my second meeting with the President. Four months ago, we had
a successful meeting during the APEC Summit in Shanghai. In our talks
today, President Bush and I looked back on the past 30 years of
China-U.S. relations, and had an in-depth discussion on bilateral ties
and the current international situation. We have reached many
important common understandings and achieved positive results in many
areas.
We have agreed that under the current complex and volatile
international situation, China and the United States, both with
significant influence in the world, should step up dialogue and
cooperation, properly handled their differences, and work together to
move the constructive and cooperative relations between us further
forward.
We have agreed to intensify high-level strategic dialogue, as well as
contacts between various agencies at all levels, with a view to
increasing mutual understanding and trust. I have accepted with
pleasure and appreciation President Bush's invitation to visit the
United States in October, this year, prior to the APEC meeting in
Mexico. At the invitation of Vice President Cheney, Vice President Hu
Jintao will visit the United States in the near future.
We have agreed to vigorously carry out bilateral exchanges and
cooperation in such areas as economy and trade, energy, science and
technology, environmental protection, the prevention of HIV/AIDS, and
law enforcement, conduct strategic dialogue on regional economic and
financial matters, and hold within the year meetings of the Joint
Economic Commission, Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade, and Joint
Commission on Science and Technology.
President Bush and I have also had an in-depth discussion on the
international fight against terrorism. We have agreed to step up
consultation and cooperation on the basis of reciprocity and mutual
benefit, and to beef up the bilateral mid- and long-term mechanism for
counter-terrorism exchanges and cooperation. The two sides have also
exchanged views on a series of major international and regional
issues, and decided to enhance communication and coordination.
To properly handle the Taiwan question is vital to stability and
growth of China-U.S. relations. In my meeting with President Bush, I
have elaborated the Chinese government's basic position of peaceful
reunification and one country-two systems for the solution of the
Taiwan question. And President Bush emphasized that the United States
upholds the one China policy, and will abide by the three Sino-U.S.
joint communiqués.
Given the differences in the national condition of the two countries,
it is natural for China and the United States to disagree on some
issues, which President Bush and I have discussed with candor. So long
as the two sides act in a spirit of mutual respect, equality and
seeking common ground while shelving differences, we will be able to
gradually narrow our differences, enhance our mutual understanding,
and advance our cooperation.
It is my hope and conviction that today's meeting will have a positive
impact on improvement and growth of China-U.S. relations.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate so very
much your hospitality. We have just concluded some very candid and
positive talks. It is true that I invited the President to the United
States next fall. It's true he accepted.
This is the 30th year -- 30th anniversary of President Nixon's first
visit to China, the beginning of 30 years of growth in the U.S.-China
relationship. Our ties are mature, respectful and important to both
our nations and to the world.
We discussed a lot of issues, starting with terrorism. We recognize
that terrorism is a threat to both our countries, and I welcome
China's cooperation in our war against terror. I encourage China to
continue to be a force for peace among its neighbors -- on the Korean
Peninsula, in Southeast Asia and in South Asia.
China as a full member of the WTO will now be a full partner in the
global trading system, and will have the right and responsibility to
fashion and enforce the rules of open trade. My government hopes that
China will strongly oppose the proliferation of missiles and other
deadly technologies.
President Jiang and I agreed that the United States and China could
cooperate more closely to defeat HIV/AIDS.
Our talks were candid, and that's very positive. The United States
shares interests with China, but we also have some disagreements. We
believe that we can discuss our differences with mutual understanding
and respect.
As the President mentioned, we talked about Taiwan. The position of my
government has not changed over the years. We believe in the peaceful
settlement of this issue. We will urge there be no provocation. The
United States will continue to support the Taiwan Relations Act.
China's future is for the Chinese people to decide. Yet no nation is
exempt from the demands of human dignity. All the world's people,
including the people of China, should be free to choose how they live,
how they worship, and how they work. Dramatic changes have occurred in
China in the last 30 years, and I believe equally dramatic changes lie
ahead. These will have a profound impact not only on China itself, but
on the entire family of nations. And the United States will be a
steady partner in China's historic transition toward greater
prosperity and greater freedom.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Q: Thank you, Mr. President, for your hospitality.
President Bush, on the question of strategic nuclear policy, you've
said you want to develop a missile defense system in order to defend
the United States and its allies from the threats and dangers of the
21st century. Do you envision circumstances where that includes
Taiwan?
And, President Jiang, if I may, with respect, could you explain to
Americans who may not understand your reasoning why your government
restricts the practice of religious faith, in particular, why your
government has imprisoned more than 50 bishops of the Roman Catholic
Church?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I did bring up the subject of missile defenses, in the
broad context of protecting ourselves and our friends and allies
against a launch by a threatening nation. I explained to the President
that we've just recently gotten out from underneath the 1972
Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and are beginning to explore the full
options as to whether or not a system will work. And that's the extent
of our conversation.
Q: Just now, President Bush mentioned that today marks the 30th
anniversary of the first visit to China by President Bush. In few
days' time, the 28th of this month will mark the 30th anniversary of
the release of the Shanghai Communiqué. So my question to President
Jiang, how would you characterize the relationship over the past 30
years?
PRESIDENT JIANG: We will have in February the 30th anniversary of the
first visit to China by President Nixon, and the release of the
Shanghai Communiqué. The visit by President Bush coincides with this
day, and his visit is highly meaningful. Thirty years ago, leaders of
China and the United States acted together to put an end to mutual
estrangement and open the gate for exchanges and cooperation between
the two countries.
History has proven that it was with great vision that our leaders took
this major move. The growth of bilateral ties over the years has
brought tangible benefits to the two peoples and played an important
role in safeguarding peace in the Asia Pacific region and the world as
a whole.
At present, despite profound changes in the international situation,
China and United States have more rather than less shared interests,
and more rather than less common responsibility for world peace. The
importance of the relationship has increased, rather than decreased.
So to build a constructive and cooperative relationship serves the
desire of not only the people of the two countries, but also of the
people throughout the world.
The Chinese side is ready to join the U.S. side in reflecting on the
past and looking to the future, increasing exchanges and cooperation,
and enhancing understanding and trust. I'm deeply convinced that so
long as the two sides bear in mind the larger picture, take a
long-term perspective, and abide by the principles in the three
Sino-U.S. joint communiqués, the relationship will make even bigger
strides forward in the years ahead. Thank you.
Q: Thank you. President Jiang, do you agree with President Bush that
there should be a regime change in Iraq? And if so, would you support
the use of all necessary means to accomplish that? And, with respect,
sir, we're eager to hear the response to the original question about
the arrest of Catholic bishops in your country and attention to
religious groups in general.
And, President Bush, you have thanked the Chinese for their
cooperation in the anti-terror campaign. As that campaign evolves, can
you say today what would be the single most important contribution
that China could make? And did you receive any assurance today that
that will happen?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Let me start. We discussed the Korean Peninsula, and I
told the President that I was deeply concerned about a regime that is
not transparent and that starves its people. I also -- he reminded me
that he had a conversation with Kim Jong-il last fall, urging Kim
Jong-il to take up Kim Dae-jung's offer for discussion.
That was constructive leadership. I then told him that the offer I
made yesterday in Seoul was a real offer, and that we would be willing
to meet with a North Korean regime. And I asked his help in conveying
that message to Kim Jong-il if he so chooses. If he speaks to the
leader of North Korea, he can assure him that I am sincere in my
desire to have our folks meet.
My point is that not every theater in the war against terror need be
resolved with force. Some theaters can be resolved through diplomacy
and dialogue. And the Chinese government can be very helpful.
Furthermore, in the first theater in the war against terror, part of
the call for our coalition is to make sure that Afghanistan becomes a
self-supporting, peaceful nation. And the Chinese government is
supportive of the aid efforts, to make sure that we aid the new
post-Taliban Afghani government in its opportunities to develop its
own army, as well as its own economy, its own security. And so they've
been helpful there, as well. Thank you.
Q: I have got a two-part question. First, in recent years, China has
enjoyed rapid economic growth and its national strength has increased.
Some people in the United States have concluded that because of this,
China has posed a potential threat to the United States and they call
for a policy of containment against China. What's your comment,
President Jiang?
And, secondly, in your opening remarks, President Jiang, you mentioned
that the key to steady growth of Sino-U.S. relationship is the proper
handling of the question of Taiwan. President Bush, in his opening
remarks, also elaborated on the U.S. position on Taiwan. President
Jiang, could you comment on what President Bush has said on the
question of Taiwan?
PRESIDENT JIANG: We're living in a world of diversity. As two major
countries with different national conditions, China and the U.S. have,
indeed, had certain disagreements. But they also share broad and
important common interests. So the old mind-sets which views the
relationship between countries as either of alliance or confrontation,
ought to be abandoned, and a new security concept which features
security through mutual trust and cooperation through mutual benefit
should be established.
It's true that since the inception of reform and open -- program,
China's national strength and people's living standards have somewhat
improved in recent years. Yet, compared with the developed countries,
our economic and cultural developments remain quite backwards. With a
population of over 1.2 billion, the road ahead is still very long
before we can basically complete modernization and deliver a better
life to all our people.
To focus on economic development and improvements of people's
livelihoods is our long-term central task. What China wants most is a
peaceful and tranquil international environment with long-term
stability, to not do unto others what you would not like others to do
unto you. Even if China becomes more developed in the future, it will
not go for bullying or threatening other countries. Facts have proven
already, and will continue to prove that China is a staunch force
dedicated to the maintenance of peace in the region and the world, at
large.
Now, let me comment on the questions posed to me by the American
correspondents as they raised questions for President Bush. President
Bush, he has much more experience than I. (When it comes to meeting
the press, I think President Bush is much more experienced.)
(Laughter.) I will do my best to answer your question.
In the first question, the correspondent mentioned that some of the
Catholic Church people have been detained. I want to explain that
since the founding of People's Republic of China, all our
constitutions, various versions, have provided for the freedom of
religious belief. In China there are many religions which include
Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam and a typical Chinese
religion, Taoism. And their religious faiths are protected by our
Constitution.
I don't have religious faith. Yet this does not prevent me from having
an interest in religion. I've read the Bible, I've also read the
Koran, as well as the Scriptures of Buddhism. I often have meetings
with the religious leaders in this country. For instance, when we are
about the celebrate the new year or during holiday season, I would
have meetings with them and exchange views.
Whatever religion people believe in, they have to abide by the law. So
some of the law-breakers have been detained because of their violation
of law, not because of their religious belief. Although I'm the
President of this country, I have no right interfering in the judicial
affairs, because of judicial independence.
You also asked about the Korean Peninsula issue. President Bush has
also commented on this. In our talks just now, the two of us exchanged
views on the Korean Peninsula. I want to make clear that we have all
along pursued such a position. That is, we want the Korean Peninsula
to have peace and stability. We hope that the problems between DPRK
and ROK can be resolved through dialogue. And we also sincerely hope
that the contacts between the United States and DPRK will be resumed.
All in all, in handling state-to-state relations, it is important to
resolve the problems through peaceful means, in a spirit of equality
and through consultation. And that's why I've explained our consistent
and clear-cut position on the question of Korean Peninsula. It's quite
near.
You asked about Iraq. Iraq is not as near. But I think, as I made
clear in my discussion with President Bush just now, the important
thing is that peace is to be valued most. With regard to
counter-terrorism, our position has not changed from the position I
made clear to President Bush when we last met four months ago. And
that is, China is firmly opposed to international terrorism of all
forms.
I'm very pleased to see that Afghanistan has now embarked on a road of
peaceful reconstruction. I wish them well. I hope they will succeed in
rebuilding their country and enjoying national unity and peace.
Let me conclude by quoting a Chinese proverb: "More haste, less
speed." Despite the fact that sometimes you will have problems that
cry out for immediate solution, yet patience is sometime also
necessary. Or perhaps I could quote another Chinese old saying to
describe the situation: "One cannot expect to dig a well with one
spade." So we need to make continuous our unlimiting efforts to fight
terrorism. Thank you.
(end
transcript)
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