[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
[[Page 1070]]
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
[[Page 1071]]
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.
[[Page 1072]]
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
[[Page 1074]]
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
[[Page 1076]]
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.