Bush-Jiang Joint Press Conference, APEC

Shanghai, October 19, 2001

Chinese President Jiang Zemin and US President Bush had talks in Shanghai this morning. The meeting was the first between the two heads of state. They had in-depth exchange of views on important issues concerning Sino-US relations, antiterrorism, and safeguarding world peace and stability.

Jiang Zemin said: China attaches great importance to developing relations with the United States and always maintains that the two countries should develop a constructive and cooperative relationship. To this end, the two sides may create the mechanism governing high-level strategic dialogue so that President Bush and I, or the representatives we designate, can exchange views and have prompt communication on important issues of common concern.

Jiang Zemin said: We are living in a diverse and colorful world. China and the United States are likely to have differences, but we must coexist on a long-term basis. When we have different views, we should seek our similarities and reserve our differences, and make constant efforts to expand our common grounds. History has proved that our relations will develop if we do so.

Jiang Zemin said: Ever since China embarked on reforms and opening up, China has achieved significant developments. Shanghai is a vivid microcosm of the developments in China. China attaches great importance to developing economic and trade cooperation with the United States. Our recent purchase of 30 Boeing airplanes is an indicator that Sino-US economic and trade cooperation will have broad prospects.

On antiterrorism, Jiang Zemin said: China always is against all forms of terrorism, and China supports the strikes against terrorism. Only when the blows against terrorism are accurately dealt can they be effective. Efforts should be made so that innocent people will not be hurt. China and the United States may build a mechanism governing intermediate and long-term cooperation in fighting terrorism.

Bush indicated that he had been looking forward to making this trip to China so that he could have face-to-face talks with President Jiang.

Bush stressed: The US Government attaches great importance to its relations with China. China is a great country. China is not an enemy of the United States. He said he regards China as a friend of the United States. The United States is working for developing a constructive and cooperative relationship with China. Without a doubt, there will be differences between the United States and China. But we will handle our differences in the spirit of respecting each other and treating each other with candor.

Bush said he has always been strongly supportive for China's membership in the World Trade Organization [WTO]. He congratulated China for becoming a WTO member very soon, saying that China's WTO membership will be beneficial to both China and the United States. He also congratulated China for successfully bidding the sponsorship of the Olympic Game.

Bush thanked China for the prompt response it made to express China's unequivocal and firm support for the American people in fighting terrorism after the terrorist attacks in the United States on 11 September. He also thanked China's cooperation in that respect.

Jiang Zemin said: The Taiwan issue has always been the most sensitive issue in Sino-US relations. The basic principle China follows in settling the Taiwan issue has always been one characterized by "peaceful reunification; and one country, two systems." We hope the United States will abide by the policy of one China and abide by the three Sino-US joint communique.

Bush indicated that he came to China this time to reaffirm China that the US Government adheres to the policy of one China and will abide by the three joint communique.

Following the talks, Jiang Zemin and Bush attended a joint press conference.

Full report of the joint press conference follows:

[Chinese President Jiang Zemin] President Bush and I had a very good talk. It was our first meeting. We had in-depth exchange of views on important issues, such as Sino-US relations, antiterrorism, safeguarding world peace and stability. We also achieved consensus on a string of issues.

China and the United States, two most influential countries in the world, have common responsibilities to bear and common interests to share with respect to safeguarding peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large, to promoting regional and global economic development and prosperity, and to working with the international community in rebuffing terrorism. China attaches great importance to developing relations with the United States and wants to work with the United States in developing a constructive and cooperative relationship between the two countries.

We are living in a diverse and colorful world. Since the situations of China and the United States differ, it is not strange at all that we have differences. We maintain that all civilizations and social systems should coexist on a long-term basis and seek common development while seeking similarities and reserving differences.

Sino-US relations are facing important opportunities for development. We will carry out high-level strategic dialogue, promote exchanges and cooperation in economic, trade and other areas, and intensify our consultations and coordination while handling important international and regional issues. I believe that as long as the two sides bear firmly in mind the two countries' common interests and handle issues about the two countries' relations, and especially the Taiwan issue, according to the three Sino-US joint communique, Sino-US relations will develop.

[US President Bush] Thank you, President Jiang. I also think that today's talks are very successful. I came to
Shanghai today because I think China and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region are important antiterrorist partners. The other reason I came here is because I think the future of my country's economic development is closely associated with the future of Asia's economic development. I think the United States and Asian countries are facing a common threat, but we are full of common hopes. We all need a more prosperous and more peaceful era.

I thank you for setting aside time to receive me and hold talks with me. I know you, the Shanghai government, and the Shanghai authorities did a very good job in Shanghai. Shanghai is a very exceptional city. The last time I came here was 25 years ago. In those days I just could not imagine that Shanghai can look like this today in 2001. Shanghai is a city that gives people a deep impression. This should be credited to the leaders in Shanghai, and of course, to you too, President Jiang, because you were mayor of Shanghai.

The United States and China agree that international terrorism is a huge threat facing all of us. I believe that the United States and China should join hands to rebuff this common threat. I think that we can do a lot of important things when we cooperate in such a manner.

After the September 11 attacks occurred, the Chinese President and the Chinese Government and people responded immediately. At that time they responded without the least hesitation to pledge that they would stand on the side of the American people and the American Government.

The Chinese Government has made a firm commitment to cooperating with the United States. This includes sharing information and also cutting the terrorists' financial sources. President Jiang and the Chinese Government are now working shoulder to shoulder with the American people and American Government in rebuffing the evil terrorists.

China is a great, strong country. A constructive US-Chinese relationship is what the United States wants. China's wish to join the international community and coexist in harmony with its neighbors is what we welcome. We also welcome China to join the World Trade Organization as soon as possible. We think this and other developments are good for the two peoples, and even the people the world over.

From a long-term point of view, whether or not China will become even more prosperous depends on whether China is fully assimilated with the international community and will fully abide by the international guiding principles. Likewise, from a long-term point of view, economic freedom and political freedom complement each other.

Today we have discussed many issues, including the issue that the antiterrorist war should not be used as an excuse for persecuting minorities. I have expounded my position, my clear-cut position on Taiwan, and the stability in East Asia. I also emphasized the need to crack down on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and missile technology.

Today's meeting makes me believe that we can do even more in areas where we have common interests.

There cannot be 100 percent agreement between two great countries on all issues. I can understand this. But I want to indicate to President Jiang my pledge that, when we handle our differences and our mutual problems, we will do so with respect and will treat each other with respect. The US-Chinese relationship we are after is an open, constructive, and cooperative relationship.

The time when I left the United States was a very difficult time for the United States. But the meeting here is very important. It is important because the campaign against terrorism is very important. At the same time, the relationship between two great countries is also extremely important. One other reason is that we believe business and trade will bring us many opportunities and hopes.

President Jiang, I regret that I cannot accept your invitation to visit Beijing this time. But I am sure that I will visit Beijing someday.

[President Jiang Zemin] Next time.

[President Bush] Thank you for your hospitality.

[CCTV reporter] My question is for President Jiang. Sino-US relations have recently improved. You and President Bush also had talks a while ago. That was also your first meeting. What do you think will be the future of Sino-US relations? Thank you!

[President Jiang Zemin] The development of the international situation has time and again indicated that even though there are this or that difference between the two countries, China and the United States have a broad range of responsibilities to bear and interests to share on major issues, such as the subsistence and development of mankind. I am glad to see that Sino-US relations have recently improved. The two countries are maintaining close consultations and cooperation in handling important issues such as antiterrorism; and the two countries have also made new headway in promoting exchange and cooperation in economic and trade areas. Because the situations in China and the United States are different, it is normal that there are differences between the two countries. As long as the two sides respect each other, treat each other with candor and sincerity, and talk to each other regularly to build up trust, the two countries can properly handle the differences between them. Of course, during our meeting, President Bush and I once again had a broad and in-depth exchange of views on issues concerning Sino-US relationship, and we have reached important agreements. We want to work with the US side to broaden exchange and cooperation, promote understanding and trust, and develop a constructive and cooperative relationship between the two countries. I am convinced that as long as the principles in the three Sino-US joint communique and the basic norms governing international relations are followed, and as long as the issues between the two countries, and especially the Taiwan issue, have been properly handled, the development of Sino-US relations will have good prospects.

[Foreign journalist] Thank you for inviting me here. First of all, I want to ask President Bush whether the letters with anthrax found in the United States recently are directly related to the "Al-Qa'ida" organization, or any foreign country, such as Iraq. Do you have any clue in this respect? The other question I want to ask is that, there are reports that say that US special task force has already entered southern Afghanistan. Is this true? Finally, the question I want to ask President Jiang is: Some people say that the military attacks against Afghanistan will continue for up to two years. Does China support the military attacks?

[US President Bush] First of all, I have clearly indicated to President Jiang that that I myself am determined to bring those people, who have murdered many American people, to justice. I have also told President Jiang that we will do our utmost to bring these people to justice, regardless of how long it will take. We will do everything we can. I don't know how long this war will last, but I can tell you what is clear: We will win. The second point I told President Jiang was that we will hold those people who harbor the terrorists and give them shelter accountable, and we will also punish these people. I am not going to comment on military actions. I have nothing to tell you about the military actions that we have taken. But I clearly stated from the very beginning that I would not respond to hearsays and rumors. I would like to say one more time that we will use all ways and means to accomplish our objective. The third point is that it is still unclear whether the letters with anthrax have anything to do with the enemy of the United States. But we will thoroughly investigate this problem. These people are despicable. What they did was evil. Anyone who sent people letters with anthrax is an evildoer, or a prankster. We will indict these people and hold them accountable. This is the time when we should stand up and take actions. This is the time the American people should unite and make concerted efforts. Thus we will look into the matter clearly and get to the bottom of it. Meanwhile, I am glad that the US Government has responded to the anthrax case very quickly. Beside, we have prepared the antibiotics and other drugs for treatment. All those who have contacted anthrax in the United States have received the drugs and are being treated. We do have these drugs, and we will continue to provide drugs to those who need them. People who did these things are evil.

[Jiang Zemin] With respect to the issue President Bush just mentioned, we both expressed in our talks this morning that we are against all forms of terrorism. The actual moves we have taken fully indicate our attitude. Of course, when we fight terrorism, we hope the targets are the right ones so that innocent people will not be hurt. We also expressed the hope that the United Nations should give full scope to the role it plays.

I would also like to comment on the anthrax disease. I was also aware of the issue from the news. I think that all countries should consider the anthrax disease a public menace and work together to eliminate it and stop it from spreading. Thank you all!

This material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2007 by MIIS.