[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 43 (Monday, October 30, 1995)]
[Page 1932]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With President Jiang Zemin 
of China in New York City

October 24, 1995

China-U.S. Relations

    Q. President Jiang, are you still hoping for a promise from 
President Clinton that the Taiwan President will not be allowed to visit 
America again?
    President Jiang. We will discuss this issue. We will--[inaudible]--
discuss this issue.

[At this point, one group of reporters left the room, and another group 
entered.]

    Q. Mr. President, will human rights be an issue in your talks today 
with President Jiang?
    President Clinton. We'll talk about a lot of things, but we're just 
meeting. We haven't even had a chance to say anything yet, but we'll 
give you a report later.
    Q. Mr. President, with symbolism being so important with these kind 
of meetings, why would you allow the Chinese to dictate the meeting 
place so they could avoid confronting a Tiananmen Square display?
    President Clinton. The important thing is that we're going to have 
this meeting. It's very important. And we'll have it. It'll be a good 
exchange. And then afterwards we will report about it.
    Q. Well, what is the purpose of this meeting, Mr. President? Is it a 
face-saving gesture on both sides?
    President Clinton. No. These are two great countries that have a 
real interest in maintaining a constructive dialog with each other and 
wherever possible, a partnership.

Note: The exchange began at 3:05 p.m. at the Lincoln Center. A tape was 
not available for verification of the content of this exchange.