[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 36 (Monday, September 10, 2007)]
[Page 1181]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Meeting With President Hu Jintao of China in Sydney

September 6, 2007

    President Bush. The President and I just concluded a very 
constructive meeting. It was constructive because, one, we had a lot to 
talk about--a lot of interests that we want to work together on--and 
also because he's an easy man to talk to. I'm very comfortable in my 
discussions with President Hu.
    We talked about Iran and North Korea and Sudan. We talked about 
climate change and our desire to work together on climate change. We 
talked about our economic relations and our trade. And the President was 
quite articulate about product safety, and I appreciated his comments. 
We also talked about currency and exchange rates. And finally, I had a 
chance to share once again with the President my belief in religious 
freedom and religious liberty.
    It was a constructive and cordial conversation. And once again, he 
extended an invitation to me and Laura and our family to come to the 
Olympics. And of course, I was anxious to accept.
    So thank you, Mr. President.
    President Hu. President Bush and I had a meeting in a candid and 
friendly atmosphere. We reviewed the new progress made in China-U.S. 
relations in the past few months. We discussed a number of issues in our 
bilateral relations. We both expressed a desire to work for further 
development and growth of the business and commercial sides between our 
two countries through dialog and consultations.
    We also talked about climate change. We believe that the issue of 
climate change bears on the welfare of the whole humanity and 
sustainable development of the whole world. And this issue should be 
appropriately tackled through stronger international cooperation.
    I also briefed the--President Bush on the latest developments in the 
situation across the Taiwan Straits. President Bush also explicitly 
stated the U.S. position, consistent U.S. position of opposing any 
changes to the status quo. We also discussed issues like the nuclear 
issue on the Korean Peninsula, the Iranian nuclear issue, and Sudan--
Darfur.
    All in all, our talks have been sincere and cordial. I am committed 
to working together with President Bush to further advance our 
constructive and cooperative relations.
    President Bush. Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 5:27 p.m. at the InterContinental Sydney. 
President Hu spoke in Chinese, and his remarks were translated by an 
interpreter.