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Previous Visits
Special> Hu's Visit to the United States> Previous Visits
UPDATED: January 17, 2011 NO. 45 NOVEMBER 7, 2002
Sino-U.S. Relations on a Sound
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U.S. President Bush and First Lady Laura welcome President Jiang Zemin and his wife Wang Yeping at Bush's private ranch in Crawford, Texas (XINHUA)

Chinese President Jiang Zemin recent U.S. visit was successful and his meeting with his American counterpart, President George W. Bush, was highly constructive and forward-looking, marking a beneficial trend of Sino-U.S. ties.

President Jiang Zemin visited Chicago and Houston and Crawford during his October 22-25 tour at the invitation of U.S. President George W. Bush. Wherever he went, Jiang received respectful greetings. Observers and commentators defined this tour as a "milestone" and a "turning point" in Sino-U.S. relations. The peak of the visit was the so-called "barbecue summit" - a "constructive and productive" meeting held at Bush's Crawford ranch on October 25.

Experts believe the visit was successful for the following reasons: First, China's increasing national strength gives it growing influence on global issues such as counter-terrorism, anti-smuggling, and fight against drug and organized crimes. Second, China and the United States have huge cooperation potential and common interests in economic fields. And third, the current Chinese leadership with Jiang Zemin at the core gives the United States, and the rest of the world, a good impression of its diplomatic competence. Therefore, Jiang's visit attracted worldwide attention.

During their meeting, the Chinese and U.S. presidents discussed key issues, including the Taiwan issue, the situation on the Korean Peninsula and counter-terrorism .

On the sensitive Taiwan issue, Jiang reiterated that a peaceful resolution would not only contribute to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world, but would also secure the United States' interests.

"As far as solving the Taiwan question is concerned, no formula is better than peaceful reunification and one country, two systems. Nothing threatens peace and stability in the strait more than 'Taiwan independence,'" stressed Jiang on October 24, speaking at the George Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University.

President Bush gave a satisfying answer at the October 25 joint press conference with Jiang. He affirmed, "We do not support the 'independence' of Taiwan." He re-emphasized the one-China policy that the U.S. Government has upheld, and the three joint communiques signed by the two countries. This is the first time Bush has clearly expressed his disagreement to Taiwan's "independence," since he assumed office.

Regarding U.S. concerns with the Korean Peninsula issue, Jiang said at the press conference that China has always supported the non-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and hopes to maintain peace and stability there. "China has all along been a supporter of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and wants peace and stability there. I agreed with President Bush that we would continue to consult on this issue and work together to ensure a peaceful resolution of the problem," said Jiang.

The two countries agreed to maintain consultations on this issue and make joint efforts to ensure the question is settled peacefully. Expressing satisfaction with the two countries' cooperation on counter-terrorism in the past, Jiang noted that the two sides agreed to strengthen such cooperation "in a two-way and mutually beneficial manner, and work together against terrorism in all forms and manifestations."

They agreed to conduct cooperation in the sectors of transportation safety of cargo containers and trade safety. The two countries agreed to hold a third counter-terrorism consultation this year. China insists that the Iraq issue should be politically settled within the framework of the United Nations and on the basis of relevant UN resolutions.

The U.S. president said that preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, in South Asia and the Middle East, and protecting the global environment, are the major issues of concern to the people the world over.

The two leaders said that their countries were willing to intensify cooperation in all fields and at all levels to promote a constructive bilateral relationship and share extensive and important common interests.

"The two sides should increase exchanges and cooperation in economic, trade, cultural, education and other fields. We should step up dialogue and coordination on major international and regional issues, and constantly move our constructive and cooperative relationship forward," noted Jiang.

Commenting on the U.S. relationship with China, Bush said the United States and China both believe that a strong relationship between the nations will help build a more peaceful world.

"The United States seeks, and is building, a relationship with China that is candid, constructive and cooperative. We will continue building this relationship through contacts at many levels in months to come, including new dialogue on security issues," said Bush.

Jiang and Bush also discussed human rights, religion and other issues. Jiang said China's human rights situation is steadily improving, and is now in its best period in history.

During his speech at the George Bush Presidential Library, Jiang said that China and the United States should step up consultation and cooperation in these fields, as this serves the common interests of the two countries. China stands ready to keep in touch with the United States, cooperate more closely in search of a fair and reasonable solution to these problems, and promote peace and stability in the world.

Quoting a Confucius maxim, Jiang said, "A gentleman seeks harmony but not uniformity." As for differences between the two nations. China expressed a willingness to exchange views with the United States to deepen mutual understanding and expand common ground. Such activities should be conducted on the basis of mutual respect and according to the principle of seeking consensus while reserving differences, said Jiang.

"I believe that so long as the two countries look on and deal with Sino-U.S. relations from a strategic and long-term point of view, expand cooperation and increase mutual trust, Sino-U.S. relations will achieve stable development and bring benefits to the peoples of the two countries," stated the Chinese leader.

Jiang noted that China has neither engaged in expansion nor sought hegemony, and it will not pose a threat to others.

President Bush said that bilateral relations, as well as his private relations with Jiang, are "strong." At their joint press conference, Bush announced that U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney would visit China next spring.

Commenting on China-U.S. military exchanges, a "barometer" at bilateral ties, the Western media said that the two countries have good ties in this regard. China and the United States agreed to resume bilateral military exchanges, suspended following the mid-air collision of military aircraft in April 2001.

Vice defense ministers of the two countries will conduct exchange and defense consultations. Decisions have been made to set up a constructive mechanism at the ministerial level for issues of strategic security, multilateral arms control and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Observers and commentators believed that the Sino-U.S. summit is a sign of a good relationship. In recent years, the two countries have made great progress in cooperation in such fields as counter-terrorism, environmental protection and trade and economy, which prove that common interests of the two countries are greater than their differences.

They pointed out that the Sino-U.S. relationship would move healthily and steadily forward as long as the two countries deal with their problems from a strategic respective for the long-term relationship.



 
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