    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [November 19, 2006]
    [Pages 2104-2105]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to a Meeting With President Hu Jintao
    of China in Hanoi
    November 19, 2006

        President Hu. It's a great pleasure to see you again, Mr. President.
    I remember, in the course of this year, we have already met each other
    three times, we had four telephone conversations, and we also maintained
    frequent exchange of letters. So it is fair to say that we are keeping
    very close touch, and this has vigorously promoted China-U.S. relations.
        I'm pleased to see new progress in China-U.S. relations since our
    meeting in St. Petersburg in July this year. Our two countries have
    maintained a frequent exchange of visits at the top levels and at
    different levels. And actually, our trade has also been expanding very
    rapidly, and I do have a piece of good news to share with you. According
    to U.S. statistics, in first 7 months of this year, U.S. exports to
    China jumped 35 percent.
        Nationally, our mechanism for having strategic economic dialog has
    also been launched, and the first inaugural dialog will be held in
    Beijing around the middle of next month. And Chinese naval ships have
    again paid a visit to the continental America for the first time in 6
    years. And even as we speak, our naval ships of the two countries are
    conducting joint search and rescue maneuvers in Chinese waters.
        So, all in all, we feel very happy about the healthy and stable
    extension of China-U.S. relations. I think we would not have achieved
    such a state of our bilateral relations had it not been for your
    outstanding leadership.
        President Bush. Well, thank you.
        President Hu. So, with this, I would like to turn it over to you.
        President Bush. Thank you, Mr. President. You're right; you and I
    have had a lot of meetings. And the reason why is because we recognize
    that working together, we can accomplish a lot for the security of the
    world and for the prosperity of our people. China is a very important
    nation, and the United States believes strongly that by working
    together, we can help solve problems such as North Korea and Iran.
        Our bilateral relations are very good, and we--you and I--are
    committed to keeping them that way. Obviously, with as much commerce
    between our countries as there is, there's going to be trade
    difficulties, but nevertheless, we both adopt a spirit of mutual respect
    and the desire to work through our problems for the common good of our
    peoples.
        I strongly support your vision, Mr. President, of encouraging your
    country to become a nation of consumers and not savers, which will inure
    to the benefit of our manufacturers, both large and small, and our
    farmers as well.
        I always enjoy our frank and friendly discussions, and I'm looking
    forward to this one as well. And I thank you for your hospitality.
        Thank you, sir.

    Note: The President spoke at approximately 8:34 a.m. at the Hanoi Daewoo
    Hotel. President Hu spoke in Chinese, and his remarks were translated by
    an interpreter.

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