[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
[October 19, 2001]
[Pages 1262-1265]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 1262]]


The President's News Conference With President Jiang Zemin of China in Shanghai, China
October 19, 2001

    President Jiang. Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, I've just had 
a very good talk with President Bush. This is our first meeting, and we 
have had an indepth exchange of views and reached a series of consensus 
with respect to such major issues as Sino-U.S. relations, 
counterterrorism, and maintenance of world peace and stability.
    China and the United States are two countries with significant 
influence in the world. As such, we share common responsibility and 
interest in maintaining peace and security in the Asia-Pacific and the 
world at large, promoting regional and global economic growth and 
prosperity, and working together with the rest of the international 
community to combat terrorism.
    China attaches importance to its relations with the United States 
and stands ready to make joint efforts with the U.S. side to develop a 
constructive and cooperative relationship.
    We live in a world of diversity. Given the differences in national 
conditions, it is not surprising that there are certain disagreements 
between China and the United States. I believe that different 
civilizations and social systems ought to have long-term coexistence and 
achieve common development in the spirit of seeking common ground while 
shelving differences.
    The Sino-U.S. relations are currently faced with the important 
opportunities of development. We will conduct high-level strategic 
dialog, advance exchanges in cooperation in economic, trade, energy, and 
other fields, and strengthen consultation and coordination on major 
international and regional issues.
    I'm confident that so long as the two sides keep a firm hold of the 
common interests of the two countries, properly handled, bilateral ties, 
especially the question of Taiwan, in accordance with the three Sino-
U.S. joint communiques, the relations between China and the United 
States will continuously move forward.
    President Bush. Mr. President, thank you very much. I, too, felt 
like we had a very good meeting. I've come to Shanghai because China and 
other Asia-Pacific nations are important partners in the global 
coalition against terror. I've also come because the economic future of 
my Nation and this region are inseparable. The nations of APEC share the 
same threat, and we share the same hope for greater trade and 
prosperity.
    Thank you so much for hosting this meeting. You and the city of 
Shanghai have done an outstanding job. Mr. President, I visited this 
city 25 years ago--a little over 25 years ago. Then, I could not have 
imagined the dynamic and impressive Shanghai of 2001. It's an impressive 
place, and I know you're proud. It's a tribute to the leadership of the 
current officials of Shanghai, as well as to your leadership as a former 
mayor, Mr. President.
    We have a common understanding of the magnitude of the threat posed 
by international terrorism. All civilized nations must join together to 
defeat this threat. And I believe that the United States and China can 
accomplish a lot when we work together to fight terrorism.
    The President and the Government of China responded immediately to 
the attacks of September 11th. There was no hesitation; there was no 
doubt that they would stand with the United States and our people during 
this terrible time. There is a firm commitment by this Government to 
cooperate in intelligence matters, to help interdict financing of 
terrorist organizations. It is--President Jiang and the Government stand 
side by side with the American people as we fight this evil force.

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    China is a great power, and America wants a constructive 
relationship with China. We welcome a China that is a full member of 
world community, that is at peace with its neighbors. We welcome and 
support China's accession into the World Trade Organization. We believe 
it's a very important development that will benefit our two peoples and 
the world.
    In the long run, the advance of Chinese prosperity depends on 
China's full integration into the rules and norms of international 
institutions. And in the long run, economic freedom and political 
freedom will go hand in hand.
    We've had a very broad discussion, including the fact that the war 
on terrorism must never be an excuse to persecute minorities. I 
explained my views on Taiwan and preserving regional stability in East 
Asia. I stressed the need to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass 
destruction and missile technology.
    Today's meetings convinced me that we can build on our common 
interests. Two great nations will rarely agree on everything; I 
understand that. But I assured the President that we'll always deal with 
our differences in a spirit of mutual respect. We seek a relationship 
that is candid, constructive, and cooperative.
    I leave my country at a very difficult time. But this meeting is 
important because of the campaign against terror, because of the ties 
between two great nations, because of the opportunity and hope that 
trade provides for both our people.
    I regret, Mr. President, I couldn't accept your invitation to visit 
Beijing, but it will happen at a different time.
    President Jiang. Next time.
    President Bush. That's right. Thank you for your hospitality.

China-U.S. Relations

    Q. I'm a correspondent from China Central Television. Recently, 
there has been improvement in Sino-U.S. relations. Just now you've had 
your first meeting with President Bush. How would you envisage the 
future growth of the bilateral ties?
    President Jiang. The developments of international situation has, 
time and again, shown that despite our disagreements of this type or 
that, the two countries share extensive common responsibility and 
interest on major issues that bear on the survival and development of 
mankind.
    I'm pleased to note that, recently, there has been improvement in 
our bilateral ties. The two sides have maintained close consultation and 
cooperation on major issue of counterterrorism. We've also made new 
headway in our economic and trade fields in such exchanges and 
cooperation.
    China and the United States are different in their national 
conditions, so it's normal that there are certain disagreements between 
us. So long as both sides respect each other, treat each other with 
sincerity, enhance trust through frequent exchange of views, then the 
disagreements can get addressed properly.
    Just now, in my meeting with President Bush, we once again had an 
extensive and indepth exchange of views on bilateral relations. We also 
reached important consensus. We stand ready to work together with the 
U.S. side to increase our exchanges and cooperation, enhance 
understanding and trust, and develop a constructive and cooperative 
relations between us.
    I'm convinced that so long as the three signed U.S. joint 
communiques and fundamental norms governing international relations are 
adhered to, and so long as the problems between us, especially the 
problem of Taiwan--the question of Taiwan is properly addressed, then 
there will be a bright future of our relationship.

Response to Terrorism/Anthrax

    Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, sir, for having us here. Mr. 
President, do you know yet whether there is a definite link between the 
anthrax attacks and any foreign interests, particularly Al Qaida or 
Iraq? And separately, there's a report that

[[Page 1264]]

we have special forces in southern Afghanistan now. Can you confirm that 
the ground war has begun?
     And a quick question to our host, sir. Do you support the U.S. 
military action in Afghanistan, which President Bush says could last 1 
or 2 years?
    President Bush. First, I spent some time explaining to the President 
of my determination to bring people to justice that murdered our 
citizens. And I told the President that our Nation will do what it takes 
to bring them to justice, no matter how long it takes. And Ron [Ron 
Fournier, Associated Press], I don't know the time, but I do know the 
desire.
    And secondly, I explained to the President that we will hold people 
accountable who harbor terrorists. And that's exactly what we're doing.
    I will not comment upon military operations. I made it very clear 
from the outset of this campaign that I will not respond to rumors and 
information that seeps into the public consciousness, for fear of 
disrupting the operations that are taking place. But let me reiterate 
what I've told the American people and the world: We will use whatever 
means are necessary to achieve our objective.
    Thirdly, I do not have a direct--I don't have knowledge of a direct 
link of the anthrax incidents to the enemy. But I wouldn't put it past 
them. These are evil people, and the deeds that have been conducted on 
the American people are evil deeds. And anybody who would mail anthrax 
letters, trying to affect the lives of innocent people, is evil. And I 
want to say this as clearly as I can, that anybody in America who will 
use this opportunity to threaten our citizens, will think it's funny as 
a hoax to put out some kind of threat, will be held accountable and will 
be prosecuted.
    Now is the time in America--now is the time--for us to stand up 
against terror and for American citizens to unite against terror. And 
we're looking; we're on the search to find out who's conducting these 
evil acts.
    I'm also pleased that the Government is responding very quickly, 
that people who have been exposed to anthrax are getting the necessary 
treatments. I think it's very important for people of all the world to 
understand that if anthrax--if people are exposed to anthrax, there is a 
treatment for it. And it's very important for all our governments to 
react and respond as quickly as possible to make sure the citizens who 
get exposed receive the necessary antibiotics. And we're doing that in 
America.
    And the American people also have got to understand that we will 
make sure that there is ample supplies, as we deal with this evil act, 
that we'll make sure there's ample supplies available for the American 
people.

[At this point, President Bush's comments were translated in Chinese.]

    President Bush. Couldn't have said it any better. [Laughter]
    President Jiang. In my discussion with President Bush this morning, 
I've made clear that we are opposed to terrorism of all forms. And what 
we have done in the past has shown this attitude of ours very clearly. 
We hope that antiterrorism efforts can have clearly defined targets. And 
efforts should hit accurately and also avoid innocent casualties. And 
what is more, the role of the United Nations should be brought into full 
play.
    I'd also like to make a comment on anthrax. I've also heard about 
it. And I think with regard to this problem, all countries should take a 
unanimous stand, because it's a public hazard. We should all unite and 
work to prevent it from spreading any further.
    That's the end of the press conference. Thank you.

Note: The President's news conference began at 11:47 a.m. in the Western 
Suburb

[[Page 1265]]

Guest House. President Jiang spoke in Chinese, and his remarks were 
translated by an interpreter.