    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 16 (Monday, April 24, 2006)]
    [Pages 740-741]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks at a Welcoming Ceremony for President Hu Jintao of China

    April 20, 2006

        Good morning. Laura and I are pleased to welcome President Hu Jintao
    and his wife, Madam Liu, to the White House.
        The United States and China are two nations divided by a vast ocean
    yet connected through a global economy that has created opportunity for
    both our peoples. The United States welcomes the emergence of a China
    that is peaceful and prosperous and that supports international
    institutions. As stakeholders in the international system, our two
    nations share many strategic interests. President Hu and I will discuss
    how to advance those interests and how China and the United States can
    cooperate responsibly with other nations to address common challenges.
        Our two nations share an interest in expanding free and fair trade,
    which has increased the prosperity of both the American people and the
    Chinese people. Trade in

    [[Page 741]]

    goods between our two nations has grown to $285 billion a year, and U.S.
    exports to China grew nearly 21 percent in last year alone. Our trade
    relationship can become even stronger as China adopts policies that
    allow U.S. companies to compete in China with the same freedom that
    Chinese companies are able to compete here in the United States. So we
    welcome China's commitments to increase domestic demand, to reform its
    pension system, to expand market access for U.S. goods and services, to
    improve enforcement of intellectual property rights, and to move toward
    a flexible, market-based exchange rate for its currency. These policies
    will benefit the Chinese people and are consistent with being a
    responsible member of the international economic system and a leader in
    the World Trade Organization.
        Prosperity depends on security, so the United States and China share
    a strategic interest in enhancing security for both our peoples. We
    intend to deepen our cooperation in addressing threats to global
    security, including the nuclear ambitions of Iran; the genocide in
    Darfur, Sudan; the violence unleashed by terrorists and extremists; and
    the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. I appreciate China's
    role as host of the six-party talks, which will be successful only if
    North Korea makes the right strategic decision: to abandon all its
    nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs as pledged to the other
    five parties. I will continue to seek President Hu's advice and
    cooperation and urge his nation to use its considerable influence with
    North Korea to make meaningful progress toward a Korean Peninsula that
    is free of nuclear weapons.
        The natural world also generates threats to international security,
    and the United States and China share a strategic interest in meeting
    these challenges as well. We will continue to cooperate to fight avian
    flu and other pandemic diseases. We will continue to cooperate to
    respond to natural disasters. We will continue to cooperate to develop
    alternatives to fossil fuels. New technologies can drive economic growth
    on both sides of the Pacific and help us become better stewards of our
    natural resources.
        As the relationship between our two nations grows and matures, we
    can be candid about our disagreements. I'll continue to discuss with
    President Hu the importance of respecting human rights and freedoms of
    the Chinese people. China has become successful because the Chinese
    people are--experience the freedom to buy and to sell and to produce.
    And China can grow even more successful by allowing the Chinese people
    the freedom to assemble, to speak freely, and to worship.
        The United States will also be candid about our policy toward
    Taiwan. The United States maintains our ``one China'' policy based on
    the three communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. We oppose unilateral
    changes in the status quo in the Taiwan Strait by either side, and we
    urge all parties to avoid confrontational or provocative acts. And we
    believe the future of Taiwan should be resolved peacefully.
        The United States and China will continue to build on our common
    interests; we will address our differences in a spirit of mutual
    respect. We have made progress in building a relationship that is candid
    and cooperative, and President Hu's visit will further that progress.
        And so, Mr. President, welcome to the White House. We're really glad
    you're here. I'm looking forward to our meetings, and I'm so thrilled to
    welcome Madam Liu as well. Thank you for coming.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:44 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House, where President Hu was accorded a formal welcome with full
    military honors. In his remarks, President Bush referred to Liu
    Yongqing, wife of President Hu. The transcript released by the Office of
    the Press Secretary also included the remarks of President Hu.