WASHINGTON, July 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George
W. Bush said Wednesday that U.S.-China relations are good and important, and he
is "honored" to be invited to attend the Beijing Olympics.
"The fact that both countries
are honoring the 30th anniversary of the relationship is a statement about good
relations," he told reporters from China, South Korea and Thailand at the White
House ahead of his upcoming trip to the three countries.
Also, the fact that both China and the United States
are opening new embassies in each other's capitals is "a signal of how important
the relationship is," Bush added.
Bush said that during his stay in Beijing, he would
attend the opening ceremony of the new U.S. embassy, together with his father,
former U.S. President George H. W. Bush.
"Isn't that interesting, two new embassies open the
same year, obviously to celebrate the 30th anniversary of what has been a very
important relationship," he said.
In retrospect of the development of U.S.-China
relationship during his presidency, the president said two things are most
important.
One is that he and the Chinese leaders have forged a
good personal relationship featured by "sincerity and honesty," as they have met
many times during Bush's tenure.
Secondly, the two nations have worked hard to put
strategic economic dialogues in place in a bid to broaden and enhance bilateral
relations.
To some extent, the president said, China and the
United States have become increasingly interdependent as their relationship is
becoming more and more interwoven, particularly in the economic field.
He said whoever follows him as the president will
continue the policy of "active engagement" (with China) with a constant reminder
of the belief in human freedom and liberty.
"And it's an opportunity for our two countries ... to
be able to work through common problems and to seize common opportunities," he
added.
Moreover, Bush said he has always been committed to
broadening defense cooperation and exchanges between China and the United
States.
The president believed it was very important for U.S.
generals, especially younger U.S. officers, to conduct exchanges and make more
contacts with their Chinese counterparts so as to create a feeling of trust.
Asked about how he viewed the changes happening with
India and China growing stronger, Bush said he believed the emergence of India
and China is a positive thing.
"I view the emergence of India and China as positives
and I think it's going to be very important for the United States to stay
engaged," he said.
"They will provide great opportunities for
development of services and goods that people in our big markets want," he said.
"It provides great opportunities for capital flows
which is necessary for economic development. It will provide opportunities to
work collaboratively on strong strategic areas, security areas ... as well as on
the environment," the president added.
While talking about Taiwan, Bush said it is "a very
sensitive issue" for the Chinese government.
People who study this very closely will see that the
issue is "in a better place," Bush said.
"I made it abundantly clear that there were some red
lines for the United States on this issue, that there would be no unilateral
declaration of independence," the president said.
"Our policy was still the same. It's very important
for the president to be very consistent," he added.
Bush said he himself was very pleased with the state
of (cross-Straits) relations now.
As for the upcoming Beijing Olympics, the president
said the message of his visit to China and to attend the Beijing Olympics is
"that I personally and America respect the Chinese people -- respect your
history, respect your tradition, and I'm honored to have been invited to the
Games."
"And I made a decision not to politicize the Games;
this is for athletics," he said.
Earlier this month, the White House has confirmed
that Bush will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
The president, a sports fan himself, said he will
also watch some events during the Games, including the men's basketball game
between China and the United States.
"I'm sure we will walk around the different venue
sites and just get a sense for the whole atmosphere of people from all around
the world coming to Beijing to compete in the Olympic Games. That's going to be
a proud moment for the Chinese people," he said.
In the end, Bush said he is looking forward to
meeting Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing.
He said he and President Hu have "very cordial
relations" and "it's important to be able to have those kind of relations."
"I'm very comfortable in his presence, and we will
talk about the kinds of issues we always talk about," Bush said.
Bush is scheduled to leave for a three-nation Asia
tour on Aug.4. He will visit South Korea and Thailand before going to China on
Aug. 7, where he will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on
Aug. 8.
Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) meets
with his U.S. counterpart George W. Bush in Toyako, northern Japan, July
9, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
TOYAKO, Japan, July 9 (Xinhua) --
Chinese President Hu Jintao and his U.S. counterpart George W. Bush met here
Wednesday on bilateral ties and other issues of mutual concern.
The two leaders met in the northern Japanese resort
of Toyako on the sidelines of the Outreach Session of the Group of Eight (G8)
summit. Full story
U.S. President George W. Bush poses with
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi for a photo at the White House in
Washington July 29, 2008.(Xinhua Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
WASHINGTON, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Foreign
Minister Yang Jiechi and U.S. President George W. Bush met at the White House on
Tuesday, agreeing to push forward with the constructive and cooperative
relations between the two countries.
During the meeting, Yang hailed the great development
that two countries have achieved in the past seven years in enhancing China-U.S.
relations, which he said also contributed to the peace, stability and
development of the Asia-Pacific region and the world. Full story
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