[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
[October 29, 1997]
[Pages 1445-1452]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



The President's News Conference with President Jiang Zemin of China
October 29, 1997

    President Clinton. Mr. President, let me again say how pleased we 
are to welcome the leader of a great people with a remarkable 
civilization, history, and culture, a people now with its focus on the 
future. Your visit gives us the opportunity and the responsibility to 
build a future that is more secure, more peaceful, more prosperous for 
both our people.
    To that end, I am pleased that we have agreed to regular summit 
meetings. I look forward to visiting China next year. We also have 
agreed to high-level dialogs between our Cabinet officials on the full 
range of security matters, and we will connect a Presidential hotline to 
make it easier for us to confer at a moment's notice.
    China and the United States share a profound interest in a stable, 
prosperous, open Asia. We've worked well together in convincing North 
Korea to end its dangerous nuclear program. Today President Jiang and I 
agreed we will urge Pyongyang to take part in four-party peace talks 
with South Korea.
    We also agreed to strengthen contacts between our militaries, 
including through a maritime agreement, to decrease the chances of 
miscalculation and increase America's ties to a new generation of 
China's military leaders.
    A key to Asia's stability is a peaceful and prosperous relationship 
between the People's Republic of China and Taiwan. I reiterated 
America's longstanding commitment to a ``one China'' policy. It has 
allowed democracy to flourish in Taiwan and provides a framework in 
which all three relationships can prosper--between the United States and 
the PRC, the United States and Taiwan, and Taiwan and the People's 
Republic of China.
    I told President Jiang that we hope the People's Republic of China 
and Taiwan would resume a constructive cross-strait dialog and expand 
cross-strait exchanges. Ultimately, the relationship between the PRC and 
Taiwan is for the Chinese themselves to determine--peacefully.
    President Jiang and I agreed that the United States and China share 
a strong interest in stopping the spread of weapons of mass destruction 
and other sophisticated weaponry in unstable regions and rogue states, 
notably Iran. I welcome the steps China has taken and the clear 
assurances it has given today to help prevent the proliferation of 
nuclear weapons and related technology.
    On the basis of these steps and assurances, I agreed to move ahead 
with the U.S.-China agreement for cooperation concerning the peaceful 
uses of nuclear energy. It will allow our companies to apply for 
licenses to sell equipment to Chinese nuclear powerplants, subject to 
U.S. monitoring. This agreement is a win-win-win. It serves America's 
national security, environmental, and economic interests.
    President Jiang and I agreed to increase the cooperation between our 
countries in fighting international organized crime, drug trafficking, 
and alien smuggling. Our law enforcement officials will share 
information and consult regularly. And starting next year, we will 
station Drug Enforcement Administration officers in Beijing.
    I'm also pleased that we will expand our cooperation on rule-of-law 
programs. Through them, we'll help China to train judges and lawyers, 
increase our exchanges of legal experts and materials, strengthen 
commercial law and arbitration in China, and share ideas on issues such 
as legal aid and administrative reform.
    In both China and the United States, trade has been a critical 
catalyst for growth. China's the fastest growing market in the world for 
our goods and services. Tomorrow, Boeing will sign a contract for the 
largest sale of airplanes to China in history, 50 jets valued at $3 
billion. This contract will support tens of thousands of American jobs 
and provide China with a modern fleet of passenger planes.

[[Page 1446]]

    Still, access to China's market remains restricted for many America 
goods and services. Just as China can compete freely and fairly in 
America, so our goods and services should be able to compete freely and 
fairly in China. The United States will do everything possible to bring 
China into the World Trade Organization as soon as possible, provided 
China improves access to its market. China's decision today to join the 
information technology agreement, which cuts to zero tariffs on 
computers, semiconductors, and telecommunications equipment, is a strong 
step in the right direction.
    As we pursue growth, we must also protect our shared environment. 
Already, pollution has made respiratory illness the leading health 
problem in China. Today our countries agreed to a joint initiative that 
will help China reduce air pollution and increase clean energy 
production, including through the use of American technology. The 
initiative builds upon the work begun by the Vice President in Beijing 
this spring.
    I also discussed with President Jiang the special responsibility our 
nations bear, as the top two emitters of greenhouse gases, to lead in 
finding a global solution to the global problem of climate change. This 
is a broad agenda in which China and the United States share important 
interests that we can best advance by working together.
    But we also have fundamental differences, especially concerning 
human rights and religious freedom. I'm convinced the best way to 
address them is directly and personally, as we did yesterday and today, 
and as we will continue to do until this issue is no longer before us, 
when there is full room for debate, dissent, and freedom to worship as 
part of the fabric of a truly free Chinese society.
    Mr. President, I am very pleased that tomorrow you will visit 
Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, for it was there 
that our Founders set forth the beliefs that define and inspire our 
Nation to this very day. We believe all individuals, as a condition of 
their humanity, have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of 
happiness. We believe liberty includes freedom of religion, freedom of 
speech, freedom of association. We believe governments must protect 
those rights. These ideas grew out of the European Enlightenment, but 
today they are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 
not as the birthright of Americans or Westerners but of people 
everywhere.
    I welcome China's decision to invite a delegation of distinguished 
American religious leaders to China to pursue a dialog on religious 
freedom. I'm pleased we have recommitted to discuss our differences over 
human rights at both governmental and nongovernmental levels.
    Mr. President, China has known more millennia than America has known 
centuries. But for more than 220 years, we have been conducting our 
great experiment in democracy. We still struggle to make it work every 
day, and we know it requires struggle every day. The American people 
greatly admire China's extraordinary economic transformation, and we 
understand the importance that your own experiences and your present 
challenges lead you to place upon maintaining stability. We also 
appreciate the fact that human rights have been advanced in China by 
greater freedom from want, freedom of movement in career choice, and 
widely held local elections. But we also believe that China will enjoy 
more growth and more stability as it embraces more fully the political 
as well as the economic aspirations of all your people.
    In the information age, the true wealth of nations lies in people's 
ability to create, to communicate, to innovate. Fully developing these 
resources requires people who feel free to speak, to publish, to 
associate, to worship without fear of reprisal. It is China's 
extraordinary human resources that will lift it to its rightful destiny 
of leadership and widely held prosperity in the 21st century.
    As we look ahead, the United States welcomes China's emergence as a 
full and constructive partner in the community of nations, a great 
nation that joins its strength and influence to our own to advance peace 
and prosperity, freedom and security.
    Mr. President, thank you for coming to the United States. We look 
forward to building on the good work of this day so that the best days 
for all our people are yet to come.
    President Jiang. Ladies and gentlemen, a while ago I had an in-depth 
exchange of views with President Clinton on China-U.S. relations and on 
international and regional issues of mutual interest. The meeting was 
constructive and fruitful.
    President Clinton and I have agreed on identifying the goal for the 
development of a China-

[[Page 1447]]

U.S. relationship oriented toward the 21st century. The two sides 
believe that efforts to realize this goal will promote the fundamental 
interests of the two peoples and the noble cause of world peace and 
development.
    We both agree that our two countries share extensive common 
interests in important matters bearing on the survival and development 
of mankind, such as peace and development, economic cooperation and 
trade, the prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass 
destruction, and environment protection.
    Both sides are of the view that it is imperative to handle China-
U.S. relations and properly address our differences in accordance with 
the principles of mutual respect, noninterference in each other's 
internal affairs, equality, and mutual benefit, and seeking common 
ground while putting aside differences.
    President Clinton and I have also reached broad agreement on the 
establishment of a mechanism of regular summit meetings, the opening of 
a hotline between the two heads of state, the establishment of a 
mechanism of meetings and consultations between the two foreign 
ministers and other officials, an increase in exchanges between the 
armed forces of the two countries, and exchanges and cooperation between 
our two countries in economic, scientific, and technological, cultural, 
educational, and law enforcement fields.
    My visit will achieve the purpose of enhancing mutual understanding, 
broadening common ground, developing cooperation, and building a future 
together, and bring China-U.S. relations into a new stage of 
development.
    President Clinton and I share the view that China and the United 
States enjoy a high degree of complementarity and a huge potential for 
cooperation in the economic and trade fields. To step up our economic 
cooperation and trade not only benefits our two peoples but also 
contributes to economic development and prosperity of the world.
    And I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you, Mr. 
President, for the kind reception accorded to me.
    Now, questions are welcome.
    President Clinton. Let a Chinese go first. We'll wait.

President Jiang's Visit

    Q. I have a question which I would like to ask of President Jiang. 
President Jiang, for the past few years, you have reiterated once and 
again that we need to take a long-term perspective and we should view 
China-U.S. relations from the perspective of the 21st century. 
Therefore, Mr. President, what measures will the Chinese Government 
make, and how can a sound and stable relationship between China and the 
United States be brought into the 21st century?
    President Jiang. And your question recalled of me of the first 
meeting that President Clinton and I had in Seattle when we agreed that 
we need to work to bring a world of prosperity, stability, and peace 
into the 21st century. The meeting that I had with President Clinton 
during my current trip to the United States was the fifth one that we 
had with one another. However, my visit is the first by a Chinese head 
of state to the United States in 12 years.
    And this shows that both sides are working together and taking many 
specific measures to achieve this goal, and to put it more specifically, 
I believe it is very important for the two peoples of China and the 
United States to enhance mutual understanding. And I'm also coming here 
to the United States for the purpose of deepening mutual understanding 
between our two peoples.
    There are a lot of works from ancient Chinese literature and culture 
describing the view that one should scale a great height in order to 
have a grander sight. And the development of modern science and 
technology also told us that if you have a greater height you can see 
farther into the long distance.
    I do not want to take much of the time, so I would like to leave 
more time to President Clinton. [Laughter]

Human Rights

    The President. Go ahead, Laurie [Laurie Santos, United Press 
International].
    Q. Sir, we're told that you have asked, even last night, for the 
release of some political dissidents, and the Chinese have not done so. 
Is it acceptable for China to refuse even such a modest gesture?
    President Clinton. Well, first of all, we had a long discussion 
about human rights; we discussed a lot of issues related to human 
rights, every conceivable aspect of it. And we have profound 
disagreements there. But that does not mean that this visit should not 
have occurred or that we don't have a big interest in continuing to work 
together. After all, this interest that

[[Page 1448]]

we have in working with China relates to the fact that we have common 
values and common interests related to preserving peace, to growing the 
economy, to stopping the spread of dangerous weapons. We have an 
agreement to fight narcotrafficking. We have an agreement to work 
together on the terrific environmental challenges we face--right across 
the board. So I think that you have to see this meeting in the context 
of that. But you shouldn't in any way minimize the steep differences 
that still remain between us over that issue.

Taiwan

    Q. I have a question for Your Excellency, President Jiang Zemin. Why 
is the Taiwan issue the core issue in China-U.S. relations?
    President Jiang. The three Sino-U.S. joint communiques all covered 
the question of Taiwan, because this question is involving the 
sovereignty of the People's Republic of China. The late Mr. Deng 
Ziaoping proposed the system of one country-two systems for the 
settlement of the Taiwan question and for the accomplishment of peaceful 
reunification of China, and this is the only correct policy.
    However, we also say that we do not commit to renounce the use of 
force, that this is not directed at the compatriots in Taiwan but rather 
at the external forces attempting to interfere in China's internal 
affairs and at those who are attempting to achieve separation of the 
country or the independence of Taiwan.
    I'm very happy that I discussed this issue in clear-cut terms with 
President Clinton during my current trip, as we have done in our 
previous meetings, and I believe the joint statement that the two sides 
are going to release will also carry explicit explanations on the Taiwan 
issue.
    Thank you.
    The President. Terry [Terence Hunt, Associated Press].

Tiananmen Square and Human Rights

    Q. Mr. President--a question, actually, for both Presidents--the 
shootings in Tiananmen Square were a turning point in U.S.-Chinese 
relations and caused many Americans to view China as an oppressive 
country that crushes human rights. President Jiang, do you have any 
regrets about Tiananmen? And President Clinton, are you prepared to lift 
any of the Tiananmen sanctions, and if not, why not?
    President Jiang.  The political disturbance that occurred at the 
turn of spring and summer in 1989 seriously disrupted social stability 
and jeopardized state security. Therefore, the Chinese Government had to 
take necessary measures, according to law, to quickly resolve the matter 
to ensure that our country enjoys stability and that our reform and 
opening up proceeds smoothly.
    The Communist Party of China and the Chinese Government have long 
drawn the correct conclusion on this political disturbance, and facts 
have also proved that if a country with an over 1.2 billion population 
does not enjoy social and political stability, it cannot possibly have 
the situation of reform and opening up that we are having today.
    Thank you.
    President Clinton. To answer your question, first, on the general 
point, I think it should be obvious to everyone that we have a very 
different view of the meaning of events at Tiananmen Square. I believe 
that what happened and the aftermath and the continuing reluctance to 
tolerate political dissent has kept China from politically developing 
the level of support in the rest of the world that otherwise would have 
been developed. I also believe, as I said in my opening statement, that 
over the long run, the societies of the 21st century that will do best 
will be those that are drawing their stability from their differences, 
that out of this whole harmony of different views, there is a coherence 
of loyalty to the nation because everyone has their say. It enables 
people to accept, for example, the results of the elections that they 
don't agree with. So we have a different view.
    The depth of the view in the United States, I think, is nowhere 
better exemplified than in the so-called Tiananmen sanctions. We are the 
only nation in the world, as far as I know, that still has sanctions on 
the books as a result of the events of 8 years ago.
    Now, you asked a specific question. Our agreement on the nuclear 
proliferation issues allows me to lift the sanction on peaceful nuclear 
cooperation. It is the right thing to do for America. This is a good 
agreement. It furthers our national security interests. China is to be 
complimented for participating in it, and the decision is the right one.

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    The other sanctions, which cover a range of issues from OPIC loans 
to crime control equipment and many things in-between, under our law 
have to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. So as a result of our 
meeting today, the only Tiananmen Square sanction which is being lifted 
is the one on peaceful nuclear cooperation, and it is a good thing for 
America and China. And I applaud the Chinese side for the work they have 
done with us on this specific nuclear issue. It is a substantial step 
forward for us.
    President Jiang. I would like to speak a few words in addition to 
this question. Our two countries have different geographical locations, 
and we are also thousands of miles apart geographically. We also have 
different historic and cultural tradition, different level of economic 
development, and different values. Therefore, I believe it is just 
natural for our two countries to hold different views on some issues.
    Now, people in the world are standing at the turn of the century 
when we're going to bring in the 21st century, and science and 
technology have developed significantly as compared with, for instance, 
the period when Newton lived. And I also believe that the world we are 
living in is a rich and diverse one, and therefore the concepts on 
democracy and human rights and on freedoms are relative and specific 
ones, and they are to be determined by the specific national situation 
of different countries.
    And I am also strongly of the view that on such issues as the human 
rights issue, discussions can be held on the basis of noninterference in 
the internal affairs of a country. And it goes without saying that as 
for the general rules universally abided by in the world, China also 
abides these rules.
    My stay here in the United States is rather a brief one. There is 
the fact that since I came here I have been immersed in the atmosphere 
of friendship from the American people, and I was also accorded a warm 
reception from President Clinton and Vice President Gore. However, 
sometimes noises came into my ears.
    According to Chinese philosophy, Confucius said, ``Isn't it a 
pleasure to have friends coming from afar.'' And naturally, I am also 
aware that in the United States different views can be expressed, and 
this is a reflection of democracy. And therefore, I would like to quote 
a Chinese saying, which goes, ``Seeing it once is better than hearing 
about it 100 times.'' I've also got my real understanding about this 
during my current trip. However, I don't believe this will have any 
negative impact on our effort to approach each other.
    President Clinton. Let me--I just have to say one other thing. 
[Laughter] First of all, the United States recognizes that on so many 
issues China is on the right side of history, and we welcome it. But on 
this issue we believe the policy of the Government is on the wrong side 
of history. There is, after all, now a Universal Declaration of Human 
Rights.
    The second point I'd like to make is that I can only speak from our 
experience. And America has problems of its own, which I have frankly 
acknowledged. But in our country I think it would amaze many of our 
Chinese guests to see some of the things that have been written and said 
about me, my family, our Government, our policies. And yet, after all 
this time, I'm still standing here, and our country is stronger than it 
was before those words were uttered 6 years ago. [Laughter] Excuse me, 
before those words began to be said 6 years ago--they're still being 
said every day. [Laughter]

Taiwan

    Q. Mr. President, I have a question for both President Jiang and 
President Clinton. President Clinton, you stated your position with 
regard to Taiwan that this is a question for the Chinese people to 
resolve. But we all understand you have brokered peace in Bosnia, in the 
Middle East. Do you see any role for the United States to play in the 
securing of a permanent peaceful environment in the Taiwan Strait?
    And for President Jiang, about the cross-strait dialog. President 
Clinton said that he has urged President Jiang to resume the interrupted 
dialog. I wonder if President Jiang will respond positively and take 
some measures to resume the dialog as soon as possible?
    President Clinton. First of all, I think the most important thing 
the United States can do to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the 
differences is to adhere strictly to the ``one China'' policy we have 
agreed on, to make it clear that within the context of that ``one 
China'' policy, as articulated in the communiques and our own laws, we 
will maintain friendly, open relations with the people of Taiwan and 
China but that we understand that this issue has to be resolved and 
resolved peacefully and that if it is resolved in a satisfactory way, 
consistent with statements made in the past, then Asia will be stronger

[[Page 1450]]

and more stable and more prosperous--that is good for the United 
States--and our own relations with China will move on to another stage 
of success.
    I think the more we can encourage that, the better off we are. But I 
think in the end, since so much investment and contact has gone on in 
the last few years between Taiwan and China, I think the Chinese people 
know how to resolve this when the time is right, and we just have to 
keep saying we hope the time will be right as soon as possible. Sooner 
is better than later.
    President Jiang. To answer your question in rather brief terms, all 
in all, our policy is one of peaceful reunification and ``one country, 
two systems.'' And as for more detailed elaboration on that, a few years 
ago I made my 8-point proposal along that line, and at the just 
concluded 15th national congress of the Chinese Communist Party I also 
delivered a report which gave a rather comprehensive elaboration on 
this. Therefore, I will not repeat them here.
    President Clinton. I, too, will try to be briefer.
    Larry [Larry McQuillan, Reuters], go ahead.

China-U.S. Nuclear Cooperation

    Q. Mr. President, could you elaborate a little bit more on your 
decision to approve these reactor--or to permit reactor sales? It's 
certainly something that has raised concerns by some Members of 
Congress. And also, could you describe just what kind of commitments 
you've received from China? Are they actually written?
    President Clinton. Well, let me say, first of all, I am completely 
convinced that the agreements we have reached are sufficiently specific 
and clear that the requirements of the law will be met and that the 
national security of the United States will be advanced and that we will 
have greater success in our global efforts to keep nuclear technology 
and other dangerous weapons from falling into the wrong hands, as a 
result of the agreement we have made with China.

Discussions With President Jiang

    Q. President Jiang, among the common ground you reached with 
President Clinton, what is the most important one?
    President Jiang. I believe very importantly that I and President 
Clinton held full exchange of views on issues of mutual interest to us, 
and we also reached common ground on the major areas of our discussion. 
And I believe the most important thing is that both sides have expressed 
the desire to work in order to bring a world of peace, stability, and 
prosperity into the next century. I believe this is the most important 
common ground we have.
    President Clinton. Jon [Jonathan Peterson, Los Angeles Times].

U.S. Troops in Asia

    Q. Mr. President, the United States and China are inevitably big 
powers in the Pacific. Are you comfortable with the size of America's 
military presence in Asia? And I'd also like to ask President Jiang if 
he would view a reduction of American troops in the region as a step 
towards improving relations.
    President Clinton. The question you ask of me, the answer is simple. 
It's yes. I believe that our presence in the Pacific, where everyone 
knows we have no territorial or other destructive ambitions, is a 
stabilizing factor, and it will lead us to greater partnerships in 
meeting common security threats in the years ahead.
    President Jiang. Hong Kong correspondent, please.

China, Russia, and the United States

    Q. I have a question for both Presidents. Yesterday, Beijing 
announced its invitation for Russian President Boris Yeltsin to visit 
Beijing, and today the heads of state of China and the United States 
have announced here in the United States to establish a constructive and 
strategic partnership between China and the United States. Therefore, I 
would like to have your comment--the two Presidents--your perception 
concerning the triangular relationship between China, the United States, 
and Russia.
    President Jiang. I don't see much contradiction in this aspect, for 
I am coming here to the United States this time at the invitation of 
President Clinton for what is our fifth meeting with one another, and 
therefore we are already old friends. And so am I with President Yeltsin 
of Russia. And I still remember that in the spring of 1995, the three of 
us met in Moscow. Therefore, I don't see much contradiction in this 
regard. And we should all commit ourselves to building a peaceful and 
beautiful new century.
    President Clinton. During the cold war, we were all three suspicious 
of each other, and we tried to play each other off against the other.

[[Page 1451]]

[Laughter] So when Russia argued with China, we were very happy. 
[Laughter]
    Today, we must look to the future. Russia has a strong democracy. 
Its economy is coming back. We are working with Russia in Bosnia and in 
other places around the world. In land mass, it is the largest country 
in the world. It is a rich country. It is a European country and an 
Asian country. And both China and the United States should have good 
relations with Russia. And then the three of us should work together on 
matters of common concern. This is not the cold war; we need to be 
looking to the future and a different set of relations.
    Wolf [Wolf Blitzer, CNN].

Human Rights

    Q. Mr. President and Mr. President, I wonder if you specifically had 
a chance to raise the cases of the two leading political dissidents in 
China, Wang Dan and Wei Jingsheng, with President Jiang and ask for 
their release? And to President Jiang, why not simply release these 
political prisoners? And also, why not allow greater religious freedom 
in Tibet, which has become such an emotional issue here in the United 
States as well? Thank you.
    President Clinton. First, as Mr. Berger, I think, has already told 
you, my answer to that question is, I discussed every aspect of this 
issue in great detail.
    President Jiang. To be frank with you, President Clinton discussed 
all these relevant issues with me. I just want to state here that I am 
the President of the People's Republic of China and not the chief judge 
of the Supreme Court of China. And as for the issues such as the one 
concerning Wei Jingsheng, this involves China's criminal law and will be 
resolved gradually according to the legal procedure by the court of 
China.
    As for the issue concerning religion in Tibet, in China people have 
the freedom to exercise their different religious beliefs. However, on 
this question, I believe religious freedom in Tibet and the violation of 
criminal law are issues within different framework. And, therefore, I 
hope that mutual understanding between us will be promoted.

China-U.S. Relations

    Q. My question is for President Clinton. In China, sometimes we are 
confused by American different policy to China. We know when you--there 
are factions in Congress which aren't friendly to China. So as 
President, how do you coordinate the unbalance to have a unified policy 
to China? Is there any elements to damage an effective Sino-U.S. 
relationship?
    President Clinton. Well, let me say--make a general point first. It 
is very important that we understand each other so that if we have a 
difference, it's a real difference and not a misunderstanding. 
Therefore, in dealing with the United States, unless there is some clear 
signal to the contrary, you should assume that a statement by the 
President, the Vice President, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of 
Defense, the Secretary of the Treasury, the National Security Adviser, 
the Trade Ambassador, the people in our direct line of authority--they 
represent our policy.
    We need the support of important people in Congress, and much of the 
leadership does support this administration's China policy. But I think 
it would be a mistake to think that the United States has no unified 
China policy because individuals or groups in the Congress disagree with 
it. We do have a lot of disagreement; we have had for 8 years now, ever 
since 1989. Until we resolve all these issues, in that sense, our 
relations will never be fully normal. But we have to keep pushing 
forward.
    Karen [Karen Breslau, Newsweek].
    We have one last--yes, this is the last one so the Americans and the 
Chinese will be even. [Laughter]

Tibet

    Q. For President Jiang, sir, officials in your delegation have 
suggested that the protesters who have protested Chinese policies in 
Tibet are, in many cases, young people, students who have been misguided 
and misinformed by a Hollywood-led campaign. Sir, if that is so, and if 
we take to heart your old Chinese saying that seeing once is worth 
hearing 100 times, would you be willing to invite either a delegation, a 
senior delegation from the United States Congress or a group of 
international journalists to travel to Tibet and to see for themselves? 
Thank you.
    President Jiang. I do, indeed, would like to welcome more people to 
go to Tibet and see with their own eyes.
    President Clinton. Let me just, following up on that, make it clear 
again that the United States has no political objective in pressing the

[[Page 1452]]

cause of Tibetans, the Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama. We have only 
asked for the resumption of a constructive dialog based on a commitment 
that there would be no attempt to sever Tibet from China but instead an 
attempt to reconcile the peoples so that all freedom of religious 
expression and unique cultures could be preserved.
    Thank you very much.
    President Jiang. Thank you.

Note: The President's 152d news conference began at 3:30 p.m. in Room 
450 of the Old Executive Office Building. President Jiang spoke in 
Chinese, and his remarks were translated by an interpreter.