[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 50 (Monday, December 15, 2003)]
[Pages 1777-1778]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following Discussions With Premier Wen Jiabao of China and an 
Exchange With Reporters

December 9, 2003

    President Bush. Welcome. I will make a statement; the Premier will 
make a statement. We'll answer questions, one from the American side, 
one from the Chinese side, one from the American side, and one from the 
Chinese side.
    Mr. Premier, welcome. We're going to have extensive discussions 
today on a lot of issues. We've just had a very friendly and candid 
discussion. There's no question in my mind that when China and the 
United States works closely together, we can accomplish a lot of very 
important objectives. Our relationship is good and strong, and we are 
determined to keep it that way for the good of our respective peoples 
and for the sake of peace and prosperity in the world.
    So, welcome. Glad you're here.
    Premier Wen. I'm very grateful towards President Bush and the U.S. 
Government for the kind invitation and warm hospitality.
    Just now, President Bush and I had an indepth exchange of views on 
China-U.S. relationship and on international and regional issues of 
mutual interest. The discussion took place under very friendly, candid, 
cooperative, and constructive atmosphere, and we reached consensus on 
many issues.
    President Bush and I both believe that the further improvement and 
growth of the bilateral ties between China and the U.S. will not only 
bring benefits for the people of the two countries but also in the 
interest of world peace and stability.
    Thank you.
    President Bush. AP man.

Taiwan

    Q. Mr. President, George Gedda of AP. Given the sensitivity of the 
issue, do you believe the referendum planned by the Taiwanese on March 
20th should be cancelled?
    President Bush. Someone needs to interpret that.
    Let me tell you what I've just told the Premier on this issue. The 
United States Government's policy is ``one China,'' based upon the three 
communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. We oppose any unilateral 
decision by either China or Taiwan to change the status quo. And the 
comments and actions made by the leader of Taiwan indicate that he may 
be willing to make decisions unilaterally to change the status quo, 
which we oppose.
    Why don't you call on somebody from your press.
    Q. Premier Wen, what is the position of the Chinese Government on 
the question of Taiwan?
    Premier Wen. Our fundamental policy on the settlement of the 
question of Taiwan is peaceful reunification and one country, two 
systems. We would do our utmost with utmost sincerity to bring about 
national unity and peaceful reunification through peaceful means.
    The Chinese Government respects the desire of people in Taiwan for 
democracy, but we must point out that the attempts of Taiwan 
authorities, headed by Chen Shui-bian, are only using democracy as an 
excuse and attempt to resort to defensive referendum to split Taiwan 
away from China. Such separatist activities are what the Chinese side 
can absolutely not accept and tolerate.
    We also want to say that so long as there is a glimmer of hope, we 
would not give up our efforts for peaceful reunification. We have 
expressed our will and determination to uphold national unity. This is 
for the very purpose of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan 
Straits. And such stability can

[[Page 1778]]

only be maintained through unswerving opposition and firm opposition to 
pro-independence activities.
    On many occasions and just now in the meeting as well, President 
Bush has reiterated the U.S. commitment to the three Sino-U.S. Joint 
Communiques, the ``one China'' principle, and opposition to Taiwan 
independence. We appreciate that. In particular, we very much appreciate 
the position adopted by President Bush toward the latest moves and 
developments in Taiwan, that is, the attempt to resort to referendum of 
various kinds as excuse to pursue Taiwan independence. We appreciate the 
position of the U.S. Government.
    President Bush. Steve [Steve Holland, Reuters].

North Korea

    Q. Mr. President, thank you. North Korea is saying they will freeze 
their nuclear program if the U.S. takes them off the terrorism list and 
provides fuel aid. Is this a worthwhile idea? And how are you going to 
get the six-party talks going again?
    President Bush. Yes, well, we spent a lot of time talking about 
North Korea here. We share a mutual goal, and that is for the Korean 
Peninsula to be nuclear-weapons-free. I thank the Premier for China 
starting the six-party talks, and I will continue those talks. I think 
they're very important.
    The goal of the United States is not for a freeze of the nuclear 
program. The goal is to dismantle a nuclear weapons program in a 
verifiable and irreversible way, and that is a clear message that we are 
sending to the North Koreans. And we will continue to work with China 
and the other countries involved to resolve this issue peacefully.

China-U.S. Relations

    Q. Premier Wen, what's your reading of the status quo and the future 
development of China's economic relationship and trade with the United 
States?
    Premier Wen. The expansion of China's economic cooperation and trade 
with the United States, as we see today, has not come by easily. Just 
imagine, 25 years ago, our trade was less than 2.5 billion U.S. dollars,

and now the volume has exceeded 100 billion U.S. dollars. Our economic 
and trade links have been conducive to the interest of our two people 
and two countries.
    We have to admit, though, in our economic and trade relationship, 
problems do exist, and mainly, the U.S. trade deficit with China. The 
Chinese Government takes this problem seriously and has taken measures 
to improve the situation. Soon, in a few minutes, we will have a large 
group meeting with the U.S. side, and in that setting, I would make one 
proposal, and I will also share with President Bush five principles we 
think that should guide the development of economic cooperation and 
trade between China and the U.S.
    President Bush. Thank you, sir. Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 11:05 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to President Chen Shui-bian of 
Taiwan. Premier Wen spoke in Chinese, and his remarks were translated by 
an interpreter. A tape was not available for verification of the content 
of these remarks.