    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [June 27, 1998]
    [Pages 1069-1076]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference With President Jiang Zemin of China in Beijing
    June 27, 1998

        President Jiang. Ladies and gentlemen, just now I've held official
    talks with President Clinton. The two sides have held an extensive and
    indepth exchange of views on China-U.S. relations and the major
    international and regional issues. The talks were positive,
    constructive, and productive.
        The successful exchange of visits between the two heads of state of
    China and the United States marks a new stage of growth for China-U.S.
    relations. This not only serves the common interests of China and the
    United States, but also will be of important significance to promoting
    peace, stability, and the prosperity in Asia-Pacific and the world at
    large.
        Peace and the development are the main themes of contemporary times.
    In the new historical conditions, the common interests between China and
    the United States are increasing, not decreasing. The foundation for
    cooperation between the two countries is reinforcing, not weakening.
        Both sides believe that China and the United States, as the
    permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, should continue to work
    together to promote peace and security in the

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    world and Asia-Pacific in particular, to ease and eliminate all kinds of
    tensions and to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass
    destruction, to strengthen the efforts in protecting environment,
    combating international crime, drug trafficking, and international
    terrorism. Our two sides have agreed to further step up cooperation and
    the dialog between the two countries on major international issues.
        China-U.S. relations are improving and growing. The cooperation
    between the two sides in many areas has made important progress.
    President Clinton and I have decided that China and the United States
    will not target the strategic nuclear weapons under their respective
    control at each other. This demonstrates to the entire world that China
    and the United States are partners, not adversaries.
        I hereby wish to reiterate that since the very first day when China
    came into possession of nuclear weapons, China has undertaken not to be
    the first to use nuclear weapons under any circumstances.
        President Clinton and I have reached a broad range of agreements and
    consensus on further increasing exchanges in cooperation between China
    and the United States in all areas in our bilateral relations. We have
    agreed to take positive steps to promote the growth of the mutually
    beneficial economic cooperation and trade between China and the United
    States and to expand the exchanges and the cooperation between the two
    countries in the energy, environment, scientific, educational, cultural,
    health, legal, and the military fields, and also to enhance the people-
    to-people exchanges and friendship.
        We have also agreed to enhance the consultations and the cooperation
    between China and the United States on the issues of disarmament, arms
    control, and nonproliferation. And we have issued joint statements on
    the BWC protocol, on the question of the antipersonnel landmines, and on
    the question of South Asia.
        The Taiwan question is the most important and the most sensitive
    issue at the core of China-U.S. relations. We hope that the U.S. side
    will adhere to the principles set forth in three China-U.S. joint
    communiques and the joint China-U.S. statement, as well as the relevant
    commitments it has made in the interest of a smooth growth of China-U.S.
    relations.
        The improvement and the growth of China-U.S. relations have not come
    by easily. It is the result of the concerted efforts of the Governments
    and people of our two countries. So we should all the more treasure this
    good result.
        As China and the United States have different social systems,
    ideologies, values, and culture traditions, we have some difference of
    views on certain issues. However, they should not become the obstacles
    in the way of the growth of China-U.S. relations. The world is a
    colorful one. The development parts of the countries in the world should
    be chosen by the people of the countries concerned.
        China and the United States should view and handle the bilateral
    relations from a long-term and strategic perspective. We should promote
    the growth of China-U.S. relations in the spirit of mutual respect,
    equality, mutual benefit, seeking common ground while putting aside
    differences and developing cooperation. I believe that through the
    concerted efforts of both sides, we will make constant progress in the
    direction of building a constructive, strategic partnership between
    China and the United States oriented towards the 21st century.
        President Clinton. Thank you, Mr. President. And I also thank the
    Chinese people for their warm welcome to me, to my family, and to our
    delegation.
        Over the past 5 years, President Jiang and I have met seven times.
    Mr. President, your leadership is helping us to transform our nations'
    relationship for the future. Clearly, a stable, open, prosperous China,
    shouldering its responsibilities for a safer world, is good for America.
    Nothing makes that point better than today's agreement not to target our
    nuclear missiles at each other. We also agreed to do more to shore up
    stability in Asia, on the Korean Peninsula, and the Indian subcontinent.
        I reaffirmed our longstanding ``one China'' policy to President
    Jiang and urged the pursuit of cross-strait discussions recently resumed
    as the best path to a peaceful resolution. In a similar vein, I urged
    President Jiang to assume a dialog with the Dalai Lama in return for the recognition that Tibet is a part of
    China and in recognition of the unique cultural and religious heritage
    of that region.
        I welcome the progress we made today in nonproliferation, including
    China's decision to actively study joining the Missile Technology
    Control Regime, our joint commitment not to provide assistance to
    ballistic missile programs in South Asia, and President Jiang's
    statement

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    last week that China will not sell missiles to Iran.
        We also welcome the steps China recently has taken to tighten
    nuclear export controls, to strengthen controls on the export of
    chemicals that can be turned into weapons, and to work jointly with us
    to strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention.
        As the President said, we are also working together against
    international crime, drug trafficking, alien smuggling, stepping up our
    scientific cooperation, which already has produced remarkable
    breakthroughs in areas including the fight against birth defects like
    spina bifida. We're helping to eradicate polio and working to predict
    and to mitigate national disasters. And perhaps most important over the
    long run, we are committed to working together on clean energy to
    preserve our natural environment, a matter of urgent concern to both our
    nations. I am also very pleased by our cooperation on rule of law
    programs, from training lawyers and judges to providing legal assistance
    to the poor.
        President Jiang and I agree on the importance of China's entry into
    the World Trade Organization. I regret we did not make more progress on
    this front, and we must recommit ourselves to achieving that goal on
    strong terms. We agree that we need to work together to avoid another
    round of destabilizing currency devaluations in the region and to
    restore economic growth.
        As you can see, we are working together in many areas of
    cooperation. We have developed a relationship of openness and candor.
    When we differ, as we do from time to time, we speak openly and honestly
    in an effort to understand our differences and, if possible, to work
    toward a common approach to resolving them.
        It is well known that the principal area of our difference in recent
    years has been over human rights questions. America recognizes and
    applauds China's economic and social transformation which has expanded
    the rights of its citizens by lifting hundreds of millions from poverty,
    providing them greater access to information, giving them village
    elections, greater freedom to travel and to choose their own jobs, and
    better education for their children.
        As I said again to President Jiang, we Americans also firmly believe
    that individual rights, including the freedom of speech, association,
    and religion, are very important, not only to those who exercise them
    but also to nations whose success in the 21st century depends upon
    widespread individual knowledge, creativity, free exchange, and
    enterprise.
        Therefore, we welcome China's decision to sign the International
    Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the recent release of several
    prominent political dissidents, the recent visit China graciously
    accorded American religious leaders, and the resumption of a human
    rights dialog between China and the United States.
        Earlier this morning, during my official welcome, I could hear and
    see the many echoes of China's past and the call of its promising
    future, for Tiananmen Square is an historical place. There, 100 years
    ago, China's quest for constitutional government was born. There, in
    1919, young people rallied against foreign occupation and launched a
    powerful movement for China's political and cultural renewal. There, in
    1976, public mourning for Zhou Enlai led to the Cultural Revolution's
    end and the beginning of your remarkable transformation. And there, 9
    years ago, Chinese citizens of all ages raised their voices for
    democracy.
        For all of our agreements, we still disagree about the meaning of
    what happened then. I believe and the American people believe that the
    use of force and the tragic loss of life was wrong. I believe and the
    American people believe that freedom of speech, association, and
    religion are, as recognized by U.N. Charter, the right of people
    everywhere and should be protected by their governments.
        It was to advance these rights that our Founding Fathers in our
    Declaration of Independence pledged our lives, our fortunes, our sacred
    honor. Fifty years ago, the U.N. recognized these rights as the basic
    freedoms of people everywhere.
        The question for us now is, how shall we deal with such
    disagreements and still succeed in the important work of deepening our
    friendship and our sense of mutual respect?
        First, we Americans must acknowledge the painful moments in our own
    history when fundamental human rights were denied. We must say that we
    know, still, we have to continue our work to advance the dignity and
    freedom and equality of our own people. And second, we must understand
    and respect the enormous challenges China has faced in trying to move
    forward against great odds, with a clear memory of the setbacks suffered
    in past periods of instability.

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        Finally, it is important that whatever our disagreements over past
    action, China and the United States must go forward on the right side of
    history for the future sake of the world. The forces of history have
    brought us to a new age of human possibility, but our dreams can only be
    recognized by nations whose citizens are both responsible and free.
        Mr. President, that is the future America seeks to build with China,
    in partnership and honest friendship.
        Tomorrow, Hillary and I will visit the Great Wall. The wall's
    builders knew they were building a permanent monument, even if they were
    unable to see it finished in their lifetimes. Likewise, we know we are
    building a friendship that will serve our descendants well, even if we,
    ourselves, will not see its full development across the next century and
    into the new millennium. Our friendship may never be perfect; no
    friendship is. But I hope it will last forever.
        President Jiang. Now President Clinton and I are prepared to answer
    your questions, and now I'd like to give the first question to President
    Clinton.
        President Clinton. Which--Chinese journalists, one of you? In the
    back there, yes? Yes, ma'am, go ahead.

    Asian Financial Situation

        Q. Thank you. I'm a correspondent with Phoenix TV of Hong Kong. In
    the recent Asian financial crisis, the Chinese Government has pledged to
    maintain the value of RMB Asian currency and, thus, making positive
    contribution to stabilizing the situation in Asia. And this has
    attracted positive reaction from the international community and from
    the U.S. Government. However, yesterday, the exchange rate between
    Japanese yen and the U.S. dollar dropped again to a low of 143 yen
    against one dollar, and which was closed at 141 yen against one dollar.
    So, what specific common measures are the Chinese and the U.S.
    Government prepared to take to stabilize the financial situation in Asia
    and the world?
        The President. Well, first of all, let me agree with you. I think
    that China has shown great statesmanship and strength in making a strong
    contribution to the stability not only of the Chinese people and their
    economy but the entire region, by maintaining the value of its currency.
        The United States, as you know, has worked hard to try to support
    the stability of the Japanese yen and to help growth resume in Japan. I
    think that what we have agreed to do is to continue to do whatever we
    can to promote stability and to support policies within Japan that will
    restore confidence in the economy, get investment going again, and get
    growth going.
        The key here, I believe, is for the plans to reform the financial
    institutions in Japan and take other steps that will get growth going
    and get investments going in Japan to be made. I think that, ultimately,
    President Jiang and I would give anything to be able to just wave a wand
    and have all of this go away. We are not the only actors in this drama,
    and a lot of this must be done by the Japanese Government and the
    Japanese people. We can be supportive, but they have to make the right
    decisions.

    Human Rights

        Q. My question to President Jiang and also to President Clinton is,
    we know that there were four dissidents in Xi'an who were arrested
    earlier, and three were released, and one of them is still under
    detainment. And I would like to know if you talked about the issue. And
    what about the rest 2,000 dissidents who are being reported still under
    imprisonment right now in China? Can both of you elaborate on that?
    Thank you.
        President Jiang. In our talks just now, President Clinton raised
    this issue. We adopt an attitude of extending very warm welcome to the
    visit to China by President Clinton.
        As for the matter you raised, I think you're referring to the
    incident in Xi'an, and I think in China there is no question that there
    is no restriction whatsoever on the coverage and interview by the
    reporters and the correspondents within the scope of law. But as for
    some activities that have been detrimental or have prejudiced the
    security, then the local authorities should take measures to deal with
    them, and it is also understandable.
        As for the question you raised, actually, I do not have very
    detailed information in this regard. But as for the latter part of your
    question concerning 2,000 dissidents, I think in China we have our laws.
    And in China's constitution, it is clearly stipulated that the Chinese
    citizens have the freedom of speech, but any law-breaking activities
    must be dealt with according to law. I think this is true in any country
    of rule

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    of law. And I think China's judicial departments will deal with the
    matter according to law.
        I want to add that I believe that the vast majority of the
    correspondents and the reporters are willing to promote the friendship
    between China and the United States through President Clinton's visit to
    China this time. However, before President Clinton's visit, I read some
    reports from some media and newspapers saying--alleging China had been
    involved in so-called political contributions in the United States. I
    really think it very absurd and ridiculous, and I think they are sheer
    fabrications. China can never do such a thing, and China never
    interferes in other countries' internal affairs.
        Actually, at the talks this morning, President Clinton also asked me
    of this question. And I told him that after hearing of such an
    allegation, we conducted very earnest investigation into the matter. And
    the results of the investigation shows that there was never such a
    thing.
        Recently, in my meetings with many foreign visitors and visiting
    leaders of other countries, I often said to them that as countries in
    the world have different social systems and values, it is something that
    should be allowed that they may have different understandings about one
    fact. And this actually, itself, is a representation and the
    manifestation of democracy.
        However, what is important is that the fact itself should not be
    distorted.
        I'm sorry I've taken up too much of the time, and I now invite
    President Clinton to say a few words.
        President Clinton. Well, we did discuss the questions you raised.
    And of course, I made my views known about the recent detentions
    yesterday. On the larger question you raised, I actually made a couple
    of specific and practical suggestions about how we might take our dialog
    farther there.
        There are some people who are incarcerated now for offenses no
    longer on the books in China, reflecting real progress in present
    Chinese practice, and the Chinese, in my view--we should acknowledge
    that. But the question then arises, is there some way that these people
    might be released? Is there some procedure through which we could move?
    There are some people imprisoned for nonviolent activities in June of
    '89; is there something that could be done there?
        There are some other practical things we discussed, which I think it
    would be premature to ask the Chinese Government to make a statement on
    now because we just have had these discussions. But I want to say to all
    of you that the atmosphere--whatever your position on these issues is,
    and particularly if you agree with me, I think you should at least
    appreciate the fact that we now have an atmosphere in which it is
    possible for us to be open and honest and in great detail about this and
    that there are legitimate and honest differences in the way we look at
    this. But I believe that we are making progress, and I believe that we
    will make more.
        I remember the things that I specified in my statement about that.
    You can see that neither one of us are shy about being strong about how
    we believe about this. And I think that we have them in the public
    debate now, we have them in the private discussions, and we just have to
    keep pushing forward in trying to work through it.

    Nuclear Detargeting Agreement

        Q.  President Jiang spoke of China's position against the first use
    of nuclear weapons, and the policy of the United States does not agree
    with. Was this discussed in the context of negotiations on the
    detargeting agreement? And where are any U.S. concessions in order to
    obtain the detargeting agreement?
        President Clinton. Well, the short answer to your question, and the
    accurate one, is no, but I don't want it to be a misleading answer. That
    is, you well understand that our position on that issue is a product of
    decades of experience in a former time. We have not changed our
    position, nor are we prepared to do so, on that.
        But this was a mutual decision we made because we both felt that,
    number one, if we detargeted, we would completely eliminate the prospect
    ever of any kind of accidental launch, and number two, we would take one
    more step in showing mutual confidence and trust in one another, and
    number three, it would be a helpful signal as a counterweight to the
    recent nuclear tests in India and Pakistan. And so we agreed that it was
    in both our interests to do this on its own terms.
        President Jiang. I would like to make a brief explanation. As I
    stated just now, President Clinton and I decided that China and the
    United States would not target the strategic nuclear weapons under their
    respective control at each other. Full stop--that's a full stop. And
    then this demonstrates to the entire world that China

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    and the United States are partners, not adversaries. Full stop again.
    [Laughter] And then I said, I hereby reiterate that since the very first
    day that China came into possession of nuclear weapons, China has
    undertaken not to be the first to use nuclear weapons under any
    circumstances. Full stop. That's my view. That's our view.

    Human Rights

        Q. I'm a correspondent with Xinhua news agency. My question is to
    President Jiang. At his opening statement, President Clinton expressed
    appreciation of the achievements made by the Chinese Government in
    respecting human rights. At the same time, he also said that China and
    the United States also had difference of views over this matter. So my
    question is, what is the position of the Chinese Government on the human
    rights issue?
        President Jiang. China and the United States have differences of
    views and also have common ground on the human rights issue. More than
    2,000 years ago, a great thinker of China's Han Dynasty, Dong Zhongshu,
    once said, ``Of all the living things nurtured between heaven and the
    Earth, the most valuable is human beings.'' So the Chinese nation always
    respects and maintains the dignity and rights of the people. Today the
    Chinese Government solemnly commits itself to the promotion and the
    protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
        The United States is the most developed country in the world, with a
    per capita GDP approaching 30,000 U.S. dollars, while China is a
    developing country with a population of 1.2 billion, with a per capita
    GDP of less than 700 U.S. dollars. As the two countries differ in social
    system, ideology, historical tradition, and cultural background, the two
    countries have different means and ways in realizing human rights and
    fundamental freedoms. So it's nothing strange that we may have some
    difference of views over some issues.
        China stresses that the top priority should be given to the right to
    subsistence and the right to development. Meanwhile, efforts should be
    made to strengthen democracy and the legal system building, and to
    protect the economic, social, cultural, civil, and the political rights
    of the people.
        I listened very carefully to what President Clinton said just now,
    and I noticed that he made mention of the political disturbances
    happened in Tiananmen in 1989, and he also told the history of Tiananmen
    and told of the things that happened in Tiananmen.
        With regard to the political disturbances in 1989, the Chinese
    people have long drawn a historical conclusion. During my visit to the
    United States last year and also on many international occasions, I have
    stated our position that with regard to the political disturbances in
    1989, had the Chinese Government not taken the resolute measures, then
    we could not have enjoyed the stability that we are enjoying today.
        China is a socialist country in which its people are masters of the
    nation. The Chinese people can elect their own representatives to the
    people's congresses through direct or indirect means, and they can fully
    express their views and exercise their political rights. In the two
    decades since the reform and opening up program was started, the
    National People's Congress of China has adopted more than 320 laws and
    acts, thus, constantly strengthening the legal protection of the
    democracy, fundamental freedoms, and the various rights enjoyed by the
    Chinese people. Over the past two decades, another 200 million people in
    China were lifted out of poverty.
        No country's human rights situation is perfect. Since the founding
    of new China, the fundamental changes and the tremendous achievements
    that have been achieved, that have been scored in the human rights
    conditions in China are for all to see.
        I'd like to know whether President Clinton will have anything more
    to add.
        President Clinton. I would like to add a comment. First of all, I
    think this debate and discussion today has been a healthy thing and a
    good thing. Secondly, I think to understand the priority that each
    country attaches to its own interpretation of this issue of human
    rights, you have to understand something of our history.
        The Chinese who are here understand better than I the price paid
    over time at various moments in history for disruption and upheaval in
    China, so there is an understandable desire to have stability in the
    country. Every country wants stability.
        Our country was founded by people who felt they were abused by royal
    powers, by people in power, and they wanted to protect their personal
    liberties by putting limits on government. And they understood--they
    understood clearly,

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    that any system--because human beings are imperfect, any system can be
    abused.
        So the question for all societies going forward into the 21st
    century is, which is the better gamble? If you have a lot of personal
    freedom, some people may abuse it. But if you are so afraid of personal
    freedom because of the abuse that you limit people's freedom too much,
    then you pay, I believe, an even greater price in a world where the
    whole economy is based on ideas and information and exchange and debate
    and children everywhere dreaming dreams and feeling they can live their
    dreams out.
        So I am trying to have a dialog here that will enable both of us to
    move forward so that the Chinese people will get the best possible
    result. I believe stability in the 21st century will require high levels
    of freedom.
        President Jiang. I'm sorry, I have to take up an additional 5
    minutes. [Laughter] So I'd like to say a few words on Dalai Lama.
    President Clinton is also interested in this question, in Dalai Lama.
    Actually, since the Dalai Lama left in 1959, earth-shaking changes have
    taken place in Tibet.
        First, the system of theocracy has forever become bygones, though it
    is unfortunate that the disappearance of this theocracy was much later
    than the demise of theocracy in Europe, that's before the Renaissance.
    And the more than 1 million serfs under the rule of the Dalai Lama were
    liberated. In 1990 when I was in Tibet, I went to visit the liberated
    serfs. And now the system of national autonomy is in practice in Tibet,
    and the people there, they have their Tibetan autonomous region
    government.
        Since I came to work in the central government, I have urged the
    rest 29 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions to assist
    Tibet in its development, even including those provinces that are not
    very developed, such as Qinghai Province. So all together, nearly 8
    billion RMB-yuan financial resources were raised, and already 62
    projects have been completed in Tibet.
        As for the freedom of religious belief, there is fierce stipulations
    in our constitution for the protection of religious belief, and this
    also includes in Tibet. And we have also spent a lot of money in
    renovating the lamaseries and temples in Tibet. And we have spent 100
    million RMB-yuan and one ton of gold in renovating the Potala Palace.
        Just now President Clinton also mentioned the Tibetan issue and the
    dialog with the Dalai Lama. Actually, as long as the Dalai Lama can
    publicly make a statement and a commitment that Tibet is an inalienable
    part of China and he must also recognize Taiwan as a province of China,
    then the door to dialog and negotiation is open. Actually, we are having
    several channels of communications with the Dalai Lama. So I hope the
    Dalai Lama will make positive response in this regard.
        Finally, I want to emphasize that according to China's constitution,
    the freedom of religious belief in Tibet and also throughout China is
    protected. But as the President of the People's Republic of China and as
    a Communist member, a member of the Communist Party, I myself am an
    atheist. But this will by no means affect my respect for the religious
    freedom in Tibet.
        But still, I have a question. That is, during my visit to the United
    States last year and also during my previous visits to other European
    countries, I found that although the education in science and technology
    have developed to a very high level and people are now enjoying modern
    civilization, but still quite a number of them have a belief in Lamaism.
    So this is a question that I'm still studying and still looking into. I
    want to find out the reason why.
        I think President Clinton is a strong defender of the American
    interests, and I am a strong defender of the Chinese interests. But
    despite that, we still can have very friendly exchanges of views and
    discussions. And I think that is democracy. And I want to stress that,
    actually, there are a lot of areas in which we can learn from each
    other.
        If you agree, we will finish this. [Laughter]
        President Clinton. I agree, but I have--you have to let me say one
    thing about the Dalai Lama, since you brought it
    up. [Laughter]
        First, I agree that Tibet is a part of China, an autonomous region
    of China. And I can understand why the acknowledgement of that would be
    a precondition of dialog with the Dalai Lama. But
    I also believe that there are many, many Tibetans who still revere the
    Dalai Lama and view him as their spiritual leader. President Jiang
    pointed out that he has a few followers of Tibetan
    Buddhism even in the United States and Europe. But most of his followers
    have not given up their own religious faith. He has followers who are
    Christians--supporters, excuse

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    me, not followers, supporters--who are Christians, who are Jews, who are
    Muslims, who believe in the unity of God, and who believe he is a holy
    man.
        But for us, the question is not fundamentally religious; it is
    political. That is, we believe that other people should have the right
    to fully practice their religious beliefs and that if he, in good faith, presents himself on those terms, it is a
    legitimate thing for China to engage him in dialog.
        And let me say something that will perhaps be unpopular with
    everyone. I have spent time with the Dalai Lama. I
    believe him to be an honest man, and I believe if he had a conversation
    with President Jiang, they would like each other very much. [Laughter]

    Note: The President's 161st news conference began at 12:05 p.m. in the
    Western Hall of the Great Hall of the People. President Jiang spoke in
    Chinese, and his remarks were translated by an interpreter.