TOASTS - PRESS CONFERENCE - China - U.S. Summit - yahoo.news
President Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton
Vice President Al Gore and Tipper Gore
Chinese President Jiang Zemin and wife, Wang Yeping
Qian Qichen, vice premier of the state council and minister of
foreign affairs, and Zhou Hariqiong
Mr. Zeng Qinghong, special assistant
Liu Huaqiu, minister in charge of the foreign affairs office of
the state council
Zeng Peiyan, vice minister in charge of the state planning
commission
Teng Wensheng, special assistant
Li Daoyo, ambassador of China, and Ye Zhaolie
Li Zhaoxing, vice minister of foreign affairs
Sun Zhenyu, vice minister of foreign trade and economic
cooperation
Yang Jiechi, assistant minister of foreign affairs
You Xiqoi, special assistant
Mr. Zhang Yesui, director-general, protocol department
Mr. Qian Yongqiu, secretary to the president
Madeleine K. Albright, secretary of state, and Patrick Stewart
J.D. Alexander, publisher, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, and wife,
Carol
Paul A. Allaire, chairman and chief executive officer, Xerox
Corp.
Robert E. Allen, chairman and chief executive officer, AT&T
Corp., and wife, Betty
Don Argue, president, National Association of Evangelicals, and
wife, Pat
C. Michael Armstrong, incoming chairman and chief executive
officer, AT&T, and wife, Anne
Jeffrey A. Bader, director for Asian Affairs, National Security
Council, and Rohini Talala
James A. Baker, former secretary of state
Charlene Barshefsky, U.S. trade representative, and Edward B.
Cohen
Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Wanda Baucus
Rep. Douglas K. Bereuter, R-Neb., and wife, Louise
Samuel R. Berger, assistant to the president for national
security affairs, and wife, Susan
Rep. Howard L. Berman, D-Calif., and wife, Janis
Sen. Joseph R. Biden, D-Del., and Valerie Owens
Frank J. Biondi, chairman, Universal Studios, and former
president and chief executive officer, Viacom International Inc.,
and wife, Carol
Erskine B. Bowles, chief of staff to the president, and wife,
Crandall
Michael R. Bowlin, chairman and chief executive officer,
Atlantic Richfield Co., and wife, Martha
Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and husband, Stewart
Tom Brokaw, NBC Nightly News anchor, and wife, Meredith
Jimmy Carter, former president, and son, James Earl ``Chip''
Carter Ill
Barbara Chow, special assistant to the president for legislative
affairs, and Steven Ray
William Cohen, secretary of defense, and wife, Janet Langhart
Philip M. Condit, chairman and chief executive officer, Boeing
Co.
William Daley, secretary of commerce, and wife, Loretta
Sen. Thomas A. Daschle, D-S.D., and wife, Linda Hall Daschle
George David, chairman and chief executive officer, United
Technologies Corp., and Ruth R. Harkin
Rep. Calvin M. Dooley, D-Calif., and wife, Linda
Michael Eisner, chief executive officer, Walt Disney Co., and
wife, Jane
Larry Ellison, chairman and chief executive officer, Oracle
Corp., and Melanie Craft
Roger Enrico, chairman and chief executive officer, Pepsico,
Inc., and wife, Rosemary
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and husband, Richard C. Blum
George Fisher, chairman and chief executive officer, Eastman
Kodak Co., and wife, Ann
Mary Mel French, acting chief of protocol
Leon S. Fuerth, assistant to the vice president for national
security affairs, and wife, Lynn
Christopher B. Galvin, chief executive officer, Motorola, and
wife, Cindy
David Geffen, the David Geffen Co.
Louis V. Gerstner, chief executive officer, IBM Corp., and wife,
Robin
Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman, R-N.Y., and wife, Georgia
House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., and wife, Marianne
Sen. John H. Glenn, D-Ohio, and wife, Annie
Katharine H. Graham, chairman of the executive committee, The
Washington Post Co., and David Rockefeller
Maurice R. Greenberg, chairman and chief executive officer,
American International Group Inc., and wife, Corinne
Alan Greenspan, Federal Reserve Board chairman, and wife, Andrea
Mitchell, NBC News
Alexander M. Haig, former secretary of state, and wife, Patricia
Rep. Lee H. Hamilton, D-Ind., and wife, Nancy
James Harmon, chairman, Export-Import Bank of the United States,
and wife, Jane
Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., and wife, Dorothy
John Hilley, assistant to the president and director of
legislative affairs, and wife, Rosemary
David Ho, Aaron Diamond Research Center, and father, Paul Ho
Harold Ickes, former deputy chief of staff to the president, The
Ickes-Enright Group, and Laura R. Handman
Peter S. Janson, president and chief executive officer, Asea
Brown Boveri, and wife, Peggy
Steven Jobs, Apple Computer Inc., and wife, Laurene
Lady Bird Johnson, former first lady, and Sen. Charles Robb,
D-Va.
Robert L. Johnson, chairman and chief executive officer, Black
Entertainment Television, and wife, Sheila
W. Thomas Johnson, chairman, president and chief executive
officer, CNN, and wife, Edwina
Michael Jordan, chairman and chief executive officer,
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
Peter A. Kann, chairman, chief executive officer and publisher,
The Wall Street Journal, and wife, Karen Elliott House
Mickey Kantor, former commerce secretary and former U.S. trade
representative, Mayer, Brown and Platt, and Heidi Schulman
Robert A. Kapp, president, U.S.-China Business Council, and
wife, Mary Catherine
Henry A. Kissinger, former secretary of state, Kissinger
Associates Inc., and wife, Nancy
Gerald M. Levin, chairman and chief executive officer, Time
Warner Inc., and wife, Barbara Jo
Cho-Liang Lin, violinist, and wife, Deborah
Gary Locke, governor of Washington, and wife, Mona Lee
Winston Lord, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and
Pacific affairs, and wife, Bette Bao
Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., and wife, Tricia
Sen. Richard G. Lugar, R-Ind., and John H. Lugar
Yo-Yo Ma, cellist, and Jill A. Horner
Rep. Robert T. Matsui, D-Calif., and Doris O. Matsui, deputy
assistant to the president
Barry R. McCaffrey, director, Office of National Drug Control
Policy, and wife, Jill
Richard A. McGinn, president and chief executive officer, Lucent
Technologies, and wife, Lorraine
Thomas F. McLarty, counselor to the president and special envoy
to the Americas, and wife, Donna
Ernest S. Micek, chief executive officer, Cargill Corp., and
wife, Sally
Walter F. Mondale, former vice president and former ambassador
to Japan, Dorsey and Whitney, and wife, Joan
Lucio A. Noto, chairman and chief executive officer, Mobil
Corp., and wife, Joan
Federico Pena, secretary of energy, and wife, Ellen
John E. Pepper, chairman and chief executive officer, Procter &
Gamble Co., and wife, Francie
Thomas R. Pickering, ambassador to Russia, and wife, Alice
Nicholas Platt, president, the Asia Society, and wife, Sheila
Franklin D. Raines, director, Office of Management and Budget,
and wife, Wendy
Dan Rather, CBS Evening News anchor, and wife, Jean
William ``Bill'' Richardson, U.S. representative to the United
Nations, and wife, Barbara
Sanford ``Sandy'' Robertson, chairman, Robertson, Stephens &
Co., and wife, Jeanne
Sen. John D. Rockefeller, D-W.Va., and wife, Sharon Percy
Rockefeller
Rep. Timothy J. Roemer, D-Ind., and wife, Sally
Stanley Roth, assistant secretary of state for East Asian &
Pacific Affairs, and Carol Ditta Ertel
Robert Rubin, secretary of treasury, and wife, Judith
James R. Sasser, ambassador to China, and wife, Mary
Diane Sawyer, ABC Prime Time
Brent Scowcroft, president, Forum for International Policy, and
daughter, Karen Scowcroft
John Shattuck, assistant secretary of state for democracy, human
rights and labor
Henry H. Shelton, chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and wife,
Carolyn
George P. Shultz, former secretary of state, Stanford
University, and wife, Charlotte
Rodney Slater, secretary of transportation, and wife, Cassandra
Leonard Slatkin, music director, the National Symphony
Orchestra, and wife, Linda
John F. Smith, president and chief executive officer, General
Motors Corp., and wife, Lydia
Raymond W. Smith, chairman and chief executive officer, Bell
Atlantic Corp., and Phyllis Goldstein
Steven Spielberg, president, Dreamworks
James Steinberg, deputy assistant to the president for national
security affairs, and Sherbourne Abbott
Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr., publisher, The New York Times, and
Gail Gregg
Strobe Talbott, deputy secretary of state, and wife, Brooke
Shearer
Amy Tan, author, and Louis DeMattei
Daniel Tarullo, assistant to the president for international
economic affairs, National Security Council, and wife, Louisa
Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., and wife, Susan
William B. Walsh, president and chief executive officer, Project
Hope, and Jane Flavin
C.J. Wang, chairman, International Corp. of America, and wife,
Mildred
Vera Wang, Vera Wang Designers, and Arthur Becker
Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman, Miramax Films, and wife, Eve
Jack Welch, chairman and chief executive officer, General
Electric Co.
James D. Wolfensohn, president, The World Bank, and wife, Elaine
Leonard Woodcock, former ambassador to China, and wife, Sharon
Mortimer B. Zuckerman, publisher and real estate developer, and
Marla Prather
U.S.-China State Dinner Guest List, AP October 29, 1997
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
______________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release October 29, 1997
REMARKS OF PRESIDENT CLINTON
AND PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN
IN EXCHANGE OF TOASTS
The East Room
9:00 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. President Jiang, Mrs.
Wang, members of the Chinese delegation, Ambassador and Mrs. Sasser,
distinguished guests, friends all, Hillary and I welcome you to
America's house.
Mr. President, in your lifetime you have witnessed the
sweep of a remarkable century, both in China and abroad. And in your
different occupations you have lived a rich sampling of the human
enterprise. While you lead China toward the future, we know you also
are a student of the past, with an interest in our history, from
Thomas Jefferson to Mark Twain. Not many heads of state can recite
the Gettysburg Address, Mr. Lincoln's powerful hymn to the sanctity
of our union and our guarantee of freedom.
China has played an important role in our history. In
1784, shortly after America's independence, the first American
merchant ship landed in China. The Chinese officials knew we were
not European, so they simply called us the "new people." And though
we were unfamiliar, the Chinese allowed us to trade freely with them.
So one of the oldest societies on Earth, China, extended the hand of
friendship to the world's youngest nation.
The two centuries since then are a tiny fraction of
recorded Chinese history. Long before the United States was even
born, China was a stronghold of creativity, knowledge, and wealth.
From the printing China invented to the poetry it produced, from
medicine and mathematics to the magnetic compass and humanistic
philosophies, many of China's earliest gifts still enrich our lives
today.
Now the Chinese people are dramatically building on this
legacy. Economic reform over the past 20 years has transformed
China's landscape and its people's daily lives -- lifting millions
from poverty, giving more people education, shelter, choice of work,
and a chance to provide for their children, bringing the Chinese
people closer to the rest of the world and into a greater leadership
role in the community of nations.
Now on the verge of the new century, both our nations
seek to continue this progress, to contribute to China's growing
prosperity, to encourage its democratic development, to support its
emergence as a responsible global power and partner.
Surely a new world is dawning on the other side of the
millennium. From Shanghai to San Francisco, a community is emerging
that can become "Pacific" in every sense of the word. Communication
and commerce cross even the world's widest ocean in only a matter of
seconds, making all of us neighbors.
Let us make the most of these new realities. Our
commercial and cultural relationship is strong and growing stronger.
Our people travel back and forth, teaching and learning from each
other. Mr. President, we Americans are proud that your son received
a part of his education at one of our universities, and we want more
of our young people to study in China. We want to work even more
closely to promote peace, to fight drugs and organized crime; to
build prosperity, to protect our environment for future generations.
We must press ahead on these fronts and more. I hope
some day, Mr. President, the children of both our nations will say of
us that our decision gave new meaning in our time to President
Lincoln's call for a new birth of freedom. The United States has
benefitted already beyond measure from the contributions of Chinese
Americans, whose unique culture and values of family, education and
hard work have strengthened the fabric of our society. Already,
China has enriched America's history. Now, Mr. President, let us
work together with confidence to enhance our common destiny.
The ancient text, the I Ching, in English is called The
Book of Changes. It tells us leaders plan in the beginning when they
do things; leaders consider problems and prevent them. With this
summit we have considered problems, taken steps to prevent some of
them, and we have begun to plan together for a future not of
problems, but of progress for America, for China, for the world.
It is in that spirit that I ask you to join me in a
toast to the people and the President of the People's Republic of
China.
(A toast is offered.) (Applause.)
PRESIDENT JIANG: Mr. President and Mrs. Clinton, ladies
and gentlemen. Allow me first to extend, on behalf of my wife and my
colleagues, and also in my own name our hearty thanks to you, Mr.
President and Mrs. Clinton, for hosting this grand banquet tonight in
our honor. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my
profound gratitude to the government and people of the United States
of America for the warm hospitality accorded us.
Twenty-five years ago, in a display of extraordinary
vision, wisdom, and political courage, leaders of China and the
United States reopened the door to exchanges between the two
countries. Since then, many public figures and prominent personages
from various circles in the two countries have made positive
contributions to the establishment, improvement, and development of
China-U.S. relations. I would like to pay my high tribute to them.
In the past 25 years, China-U.S. relations have on the
whole moved forward, despite twists and turns. Our bilateral
cooperation, which has expanded in scope and become increasingly
diversified, promises a huge potential and good prospect. A friendly
relationship between China and the United States not only benefits
the two peoples, but contributes significantly to peace, stability,
and prosperity in the Asia Pacific and the world at large.
This morning, President Clinton and I reached agreement
on the goal of the future development of China-U.S. relations --
namely, with a view to promoting the lofty cause of world peace and
development, China and the United States should strengthen
cooperation and endeavor to build a constructive, strategic
partnership oriented towards the 21st century. This marks an
important step forward and a new beginning in the development of
China-U.S. relations.
As two great nations, China and the United States have a
major responsibility for the future of the world. Owing to differing
national conditions, it is natural that we may not always see eye to
eye with each other. In our view, differences in national conditions
can precisely be the driving force for better mutual understanding,
increased exchanges and greater efforts to draw on each other's
experience. As for differences in views and positions, they can well
be resolved gradually through dialogue between equals on the basis of
mutual respect.
Differences that cannot be resolved for the time being
can be put aside while concentrating on seeking common ground. What
we have in common has outweighed what we differ, as we share broad
common interests in, among others, the maintenance of world peace and
security, the promotion of global economic growth and prosperity, and
the protection of the living environment of mankind. This is the
very important basis for developing a friendly relationship between
our two countries.
American poet, Longfellow, once wrote, "But to act that
each tomorrow finds us farther than today. Act, act, in the living
present." We should go along with the trend of the times and respond
to the will of the people and continue our march forward toward the
establishment and development of a constructive strategic partnership
between our two countries.
Now I would like to propose a toast to the heirs of Mr.
President and Mrs. Clinton -- to the heirs of all our friends here,
to the friendship between our two peoples and their well-being, and
toward peace and prosperity. Thank you. (Applause.)
END 9:20 P.M. EST
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
______________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release October 29, 1997
PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRESIDENT CLINTON
AND PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN
Old Executive Office
Building
3:30 P.M. EST
PRESIDENT CLINTON: Mr. President, let me again say how
pleased we are to welcome the leader of a great people with a
remarkable civilization, history and culture -- a people now with its
focus on the future. Your visit gives us the opportunity and the
responsibility to build a future that is more secure, more peaceful,
more prosperous for both our people.
To that end, I am pleased that we have agreed to regular
summit meetings. I look forward to visiting China next year. We
also have agreed to high-level dialogues between our Cabinet
officials on the full range of security matters, and we will connect
a presidential hotline to make it easier to confer at a moment's
notice.
China and the United States share a profound interest in
a stable, prosperous, open Asia. We've worked well together in
convincing North Korea to end its dangerous nuclear program. Today,
President Jiang and I agreed we will urge Pyongyang to take part in
four-party peace talks with South Korea.
We also agreed to strengthen contacts between our
militaries, including through a maritime agreement to decrease the
chances of miscalculation and increase America's ties to a new
generation of China's military leaders.
A key to Asia's stability is a peaceful and prosperous
relationship between the People's Republic of China and Taiwan. I
reiterated America's longstanding commitment to a one China policy.
It has allowed democracy to flourish in Taiwan and provides a
framework in which all three relationships can prosper -- between the
United States and the PRC, the United States and Taiwan, and Taiwan
and the People's Republic of China.
I told President Jiang that we hope the People's
Republic and Taiwan would resume a constructive cross-strait dialogue
and expand cross-strait exchanges. Ultimately, the relationship
between the PRC and Taiwan is for the Chinese themselves to determine
-- peacefully.
President Jiang and I agreed that the United States and
China share a strong interest in stopping the spread of weapons of
mass destruction and other sophisticated weaponry in unstable
regions and rogue states -- notably, Iran. I welcome the steps China
has taken and the clear assurances it has given today to help prevent
the proliferation of nuclear weapons and related technology.
On the basis of these steps and assurances, I agreed to
move ahead with the U.S.-China agreement for cooperation concerning
the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. It will allow our companies to
apply for licenses to sell equipment to Chinese nuclear power plants,
subject to U.S. monitoring. This agreement is a win-win-win. It
serves America's national security, environmental and economic
interests.
President Jiang and I agreed to increase the
cooperations between our countries in fighting international
organized crime, drug trafficking and alien smuggling. Our law
enforcement officials will share information and consult regularly.
And starting next year, we will station drug enforcement
administration officers in Bejing.
I'm also pleased that we will expand our cooperation on
rule of law programs. Through them, we'll help China to train judges
and lawyers, increase our exchanges of legal experts and materials,
strengthen commercial law and arbitration in China, and share ideas
on issue such as legal aide and administrative reform.
In both China and the United States, trade has been a
critical catalyst for growth. China's the fastest growing market in
the world for our goods and services. Tomorrow, Boeing will sign a
contract for the largest sale of airplanes to China in history -- 50
jets, valued at $3 billion. This contract will support tens of
thousands of America jobs and provide China with a modern fleet of
passenger planes.
Still, access to China's market remains restricted for
many America goods and services. Just as China can compete freely
and fairly in America, so our good and services should be able to
compete freely and fairly in China. The United States will do
everything possible to bring China into the World Trade Organization
as soon as possible, provided China improves access to its market.
China's decision today to join the information technology agreement,
which cuts to zero tariffs on computers, semiconductors and
telecommunications equipment, is a strong step in the right
direction.
As we pursue growth, we almost protect our shared
environment. Already, pollution has made respiratory illness the
leading health problem in China. Today our countries agreed to a
joint initiative that will help China reduce air pollution and
increase clean energy production, including through the use of
American technology. The initiative builds upon the work begun by
the Vice President in Bejing this spring.
I also discussed with President Jiang the special
responsibility our nations bear as the top two emitters of greenhouse
gases to lead in finding a global solution to the global problem of
climate change. This is a broad agenda in which China and the United
States share important interests that we can best advance by working
together.
But we also have fundamental differences, especially
concerning human rights and religious freedom. I'm convinced the
best way to address them is directly and personally, as we did
yesterday and today, and as we will continue to do until this issue
is no longer before us, when there is full room for debate, dissent
and freedom to worship as part of the fabric of a truly free Chinese
society.
Mr. President, I am very pleased that tomorrow you will
visit Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, for it
was there that our founders set forth the beliefs that define and
inspire our nation to this very day. We believe all individuals, as
a condition of their humanity, have the right to life, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness. We believe liberty includes freedom of
religion, freedom of speech, freedom of association. We believe
governments must protect those rights. These ideas grew out of the
European Enlightenment, but today they are enshrined in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, not as a birthright of Americans or
Westerners, but of people everywhere.
I welcome China's decision to invite a delegation of
distinguished American religious leaders to China to pursue a
dialogue on religious freedom. I'm pleased we have recommitted to
discuss our differences over human rights at both governmental and
non-governmental levels.
Mr. President, China has known more millennia than
America has known centuries. But for more than 220 years, we have
been conducting our great experiment in democracy. We still struggle
to make it work every day, and we know it requires struggle every
day. The American people greatly admire China's extraordinary
economic transformation, and we understand the importance that your
own experiences and your present challenges lead you to place upon
maintaining stability. We also appreciate the fact that human rights
have been advanced in China by greater freedom from want, freedom of
movement in career choice, and widely-held local elections. But we
also believe that China will enjoy more growth and more stability as
it embraces more fully the political, as well as the economic
aspirations of all your people.
In the Information Age, the true wealth of nations lies
in people's ability to create, to communicate, to innovate. Fully
developing these resources requires people who feel free to speak, to
publish, to associate, to worship without fear of reprisal. It is
China's extraordinary human resources that will lift it to its
rightful destiny of leadership and widely-held prosperity in the 21st
century.
As we look ahead, the United States welcomes China's
emergence as a full and constructive partner in the community of
nations -- a great nation that joins its strength and influence to
our own to advance peace and prosperity, freedom and security.
Mr. President, thank you for coming to the United
States. We look forward to building on the good work of this day so
that the best days for all our people are yet to come.
PRESIDENT JIANG: Ladies and gentlemen, a while ago I
had an in-depth exchange of views with President Clinton on
China-U.S. relations and on international and regional issues of
mutual interest. The meeting was constructive and fruitful.
President Clinton and I have agreed on identifying the
goal for the development of a China-U.S. relationship oriented toward
the 21st century. The two sides believe that efforts to realize this
goal will promote the fundamental interests of the two peoples and
the noble cause of world peace and development.
We both agree that our two countries share extensive
common interests in important matters bearing on the survival and
development of mankind, such as peace and development, economic
cooperation and trade, the prevention of the proliferation of weapons
of mass destruction, and environment protection.
Both sides are of the view that it is imperative to
handle China-U.S. relations and promptly address our differences in
accordance with the principles of mutual respect, non-interference in
each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and
seeking common ground while putting aside differences.
President Clinton and I have also reached broad
agreement on the establishment of a mechanism of regular summit
meetings, the opening of a hotline between the two heads of state,
the establishment of a mechanism of meetings and consultations
between the two foreign ministers and other officials, an increase in
exchanges between the armed forces of the two countries, and
exchanges and cooperation between our two countries in economic,
scientific, and technological, cultural, educational and law
enforcement fields.
My visit will achieve the purpose of enhancing mutual
understanding, broadening common ground, developing cooperation, and
building a future together, and bring China-U.S. relations into a new
stage of development.
President Clinton and I share the view that China and
the United States enjoy a high degree of complementarity and a huge
potential for cooperation in the economic and trade feuds. To step
up our economic cooperation and trade not only benefits our two
peoples, but also contributes to economic development and prosperity
of the world.
And I would also like to take this opportunity to thank
you, Mr. President, for the kind reception accorded to me.
Now, questions are welcome.
PRESIDENT CLINTON: Let a Chinese go first.
Q I have a question which I would like to ask of
President Jiang. President Jiang, for the past few years you have
reiterated once and again that we need to take a long-term
perspective and we should view China-U.S. relations from the
perspective of the 21st century. Therefore, Mr. President, what
measures will the Chinese government make and how can a sound and
stable relationship between China and the United States be brought
into the 21st century.
PRESIDENT JIANG: And your question recalled of me of
the first meeting that President Clinton and I had in Seattle when we
agreed that we need to work to bring a world of prosperity,
stability, and peace into the 21st century. The meeting that I had
with President Clinton during my current trip to the United States
was the fifth one that we had with one another. However, my visit is
the first by a Chinese head of state to the United States in 12
years.
And this shows that both sides are working together and
taking many specific measures to achieve this goal, and, to put it
more specifically, I believe it is very important for the two peoples
of China and the United States to enhance mutual understanding. And
I'm also coming here to the United States for the purpose of
deepening mutual understanding between our two peoples.
There are a lot of works from ancient Chinese literature
and culture describing the view that one should scale a great height
in order to have a grander sight. And the development of modern
science and technology also told us that if you have a greater height
you can see farther into the long distance.
I do not want to take much of the time, so I would like
to leave more time to President Clinton. (Laughter.)
Q Sir, we're told that you have asked, even last
night, for the release of some political dissidents. And the Chinese
have not done so. Is it acceptable for China to refuse even such a
modest gesture?
PRESIDENT CLINTON: Well, first of all, we had a long
discussion about human rights; we discussed a lot of issues related
to human rights, every conceivable aspect of it. And we have
profound disagreements there. But that does not mean that this visit
should not have occurred or that we don't have a big interest in
continuing to work together. After all, this interest that we have
in working with China relates to the fact that we have common values
and common interest related to preserving peace, to growing the
economy, to stopping the spread of dangerous weapons. We have an
agreement to fight narco trafficking. We have an agreement to work
together on the terrific environmental challenges we face -- right
across the board. So I think that you have to see this meeting in
the context of that. But you shouldn't in any way minimize the steep
differences that still remain between us over that issue.
Q I have a question for Your Excellency, President
Jiang Zemin. Why is the Taiwan issue, the core issue in China-U.S.
relations?
PRESIDENT JIANG: The three Sino-U.S. joint communiques
all covered the question of Taiwan, because this question is
involving the sovereignty of the People's Republic of China. The
late Mr. Deng Xiaoping proposed the system of one country-two systems
for the settlement of the Taiwan question and for the accomplishment
of peaceful reunification of China, and this is the only correct
policy.
However, we also say that we do not commit to renounce
the use of force, that this is not directed at the compatriots in
Taiwan, but rather at the external forces attempting to interfere in
China's internal affairs and at those who are attempting to achieve
separation of the country or the independence of Taiwan.
I'm very happy that I discussed this issue in clear-cut
terms with President Clinton during my current trip as we have done
in our previous meetings, and I believe the joint statement that the
two sides are going to release will also carry explicit explanations
on the Taiwan issue.
Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: Terry.
Q Mr. President -- a question, actually, for both
Presidents -- the shootings in Tiananmen Square were a turning point
in U.S.-Chinese relations and cause many Americans to view China as
an oppressive country that crushes human rights. President Jiang, do
you have any regrets about Tiananmen? And, President Clinton, are
you prepared to life any of the Tiananmen sanctions, and if not, why
not?
PRESIDENT JIANG: The political disturbance that
occurred at the turn of spring and summer in 1989 seriously disrupted
social stability and jeopardized state security. Therefore, the
Chinese government had to take necessary measures, according to law,
to quickly resolve the matter to ensure that our country enjoys
stability and that our reform and opening up proceeds smoothly.
The communist party of China and the Chinese government
have long drawn the correct conclusion on this political disturbance,
and facts have also proved that if a country with an over 1.2 billion
population does not enjoy social and political stability, it cannot
possibly have the situation of reform and opening up that we are
having today.
Thank you.
PRESIDENT CLINTON: To answer your question, first, on
the general point, I think it should be obvious to everyone that we
have a very different view of the meaning events at Tiananmen Square.
I believe that what happened and the aftermath and the continuing
reluctance to tolerate political dissent has kept China from
politically developing the level of support in the rest of the world
that otherwise would have been developed. I also believe, as I said
in my opening statement, that over the long run the societies of the
21st century that will do best will be those that are drawing their
stability from their differences; that out of this whole harmony of
different views, there is a coherence of loyalty to the nation
because everyone has their say. It enables people to accept, for
example, the results of the elections that they don't agree with. So
we have a different view.
The depth of the view in the United States I think is
nowhere better exemplified than in the so-called Tiananmen sanctions.
We are the only nation in the world, as far as I know, that still has
sanctions on the books as a result of the events of eight years ago.
Now, you asked a specific question. Our agreement on
the nuclear proliferation issues allows me to lift the sanction on
peaceful nuclear cooperation. It is the right thing to do for
America. This is a good agreement. It furthers our national
security interests. China is to be complimented for participating in
it and the decision is the right one.
The other sanctions which cover a range of issues from
OPIC loans to crime control equipment and many things in between
under our law have to reviewed on a case-by-case basis. So as a
result of our meeting today, the only Tiananmen Square sanction which
is being lifted is the one on peaceful nuclear cooperation, and it is
a good thing for America and China. And I applaud the Chinese side
for the work they have done with us on this specific nuclear issue.
It is a substantial step forward for us.
PRESIDENT JIANG: I would like to speak a few words in
addition to this question. Our two countries have different
geographical locations, and we are also thousands of miles apart
geographically. We also have different historic and cultural
tradition, different levels of economic development, and different
values. Therefore, I believe it is just natural for our two
countries to hold different views on some issues.
Now, people in the world are standing at the turn of the
century when we're going to bring in the 21st century, and science
and technology have developed significantly as compared with, for
instance, the period when Newton lived. And I also believe the that
world we are living in is a rich and diverse one, and, therefore, the
concepts on democracy and human rights and on freedoms are relative
and specific ones, and they are to be determined by the specific
national situation of different countries.
And I am also strongly of the view that on such issues
as the human rights issue, discussions can be held on the basis of
non-interference in the internal affairs of a country. And it goes
without saying that as for the general rules universally abided by in
the world, China also abides these rules.
My stay here in the United States is rather a brief one.
There is the fact that since I came here I have been immersed in the
atmosphere of friendship from the American people and I was also
accorded a warm reception from President Clinton and Vice President
Gore. However, sometimes noises came into my ears.
According to Chinese philosophy, Confucius say, isn't it
a pleasure to have friends coming from afar. And, naturally, I am
also aware that in the United States different views can be expressed
and this is a reflection of democracy. And, therefore, I would like
to quote a Chinese saying, which goes, "Seeing it once is better than
hearing about it a hundred times." I've also got my real
understanding about this during my current trip. However, I don't
believe this will have any negative impact on our effort to approach
each other.
PRESIDENT CLINTON: Let me -- I just have to say one
other thing. (Laughter.) First of all, the United States recognizes
that on so many issues China is on the right side of history, and we
welcome it. But on this issue we believe the policy of the
government is on the wrong side of history. There is, after all, now
a Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The second point I'd like to make is that I can only
speak from our experience. And America has problems of its own,
which I have frankly acknowledged. But in our country I think it
would amaze many of our Chinese guests to see some of the things that
have been written and said about me, my family, our government, our
policies. And, yet, after all this time, I'm still standing here and
our country is stronger than it was before those words were uttered
six years ago. (Laughter.)
Excuse me, before those words began to be said six years
ago -- they're still being said every day. (Laughter.)
Q Mr. President, I have a question for both President
Jiang and President Clinton. President Clinton, you stated your
position with regard to Taiwan that this is a question for the
Chinese people to resolve. But we all understand you have brokered
peace in Bosnia, in the Middle East. Do you see any role for the
United States to play in the securing of a
permanent peaceful environment in the Taiwan Strait?
And for President Jiang, about the cross-strait
dialogue. President Clinton said that he has urged President Jiang
to resume the interrupted dialogue. I wonder if President Jiang will
respond positively and take some measures to resume the dialogue as
soon as possible.
PRESIDENT CLINTON: First of all, I think the most
important thing the United States can do to facilitate a peaceful
resolution of the differences is to adhere strictly to the one China
policy we have agreed on, to make it clear that within the context of
that one China policy, as articulated in the communiques and our own
laws, we will maintain friendly, open relations with the people of
Taiwan and China; but that we understand that this issue has to be
resolved and resolved peacefully, and that if it is resolved in a
satisfactory way, consistent with statements made in the past, then
Asia will be stronger and more stable and more prosperous. That is
good for the United States. And our own relations with China will
move on to another stage of success.
I think the more we can encourage that, the better off
we are. But I think in the end, since so much investment and contact
has gone on in the last few years between Taiwan and China, I think
the Chinese people know how to resolve this when the time is right,
and we just have to keep saying we hope the time will be right as
soon as possible. Sooner is better than later.
PRESIDENT JIANG: To answer your question in rather
brief terms, all in all, our policy is one of peaceful reunification
and one country-two systems. And as for more details, elaboration on
that --a few years ago I made my eight-point
proposal along that line and at the just concluded 15th National
Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, I also delivered a report
which gave a rather comprehensive elaboration on this. Therefore, I
will not repeat them here.
PRESIDENT CLINTON: I, too, will try to be briefer.
Larry, go ahead.
Q Mr. President, could you elaborate a little bit
more on your decision to approve these reactor -- or to permit
reactor sales? It's certainly something that has raised concerns by
some members of Congress. And also, could you describe just what
kind of commitments you've received from China? Are they actually
written?
PRESIDENT CLINTON: Well, let me say, first of all, I am
completely convinced that the agreements we have reached are
sufficiently specific and clear that the requirements of the law will
be met and that the national security of the United States will be
advanced, and that we will have greater success in our global efforts
to keep nuclear technology and other dangerous weapons from falling
into the wrong hands as a result of the agreement we have made with
China.
Q President Jiang, among the common ground you
reached with President Clinton, what is the most important one?
PRESIDENT JIANG: I believe very importantly that I and
President Clinton held full exchange of views on issues of mutual
interest to us, and we also reached common ground on the major areas
of our discussion. And I believe the most important thing is that
both sides have expressed the desire to work in order to bring a
world of peace, stability, and prosperity into the next century. I
believe this is the most important common ground we have.
PRESIDENT CLINTON: John.
Q Mr. President, the United States and China are
inevitably big powers in the Pacific. Are you comfortable with the
size of America's military presence in Asia? And I'd also like to
ask President Jiang if he would view a reduction of American troops
in the region as a step towards improving relations.
PRESIDENT CLINTON: The question you ask of me, the
answer is simple -- it's yes. I believe that our presence in the
Pacific, where everyone knows we have no territorial or other
destructive ambitions, is a stabilizing factor, and it will lead us
to greater partnerships in meeting common security threats in the
years ahead.
PRESIDENT JIANG: (Answered in Chinese.)
Q I have a question for both Presidents. Yesterday,
Beijing announced its invitation for Russian President Boris Yeltsin
to visit Beijing, and today, the heads of state of China and the
United States have announced here in the United States to establish a
constructive and strategic partnership between China and the United
States. Therefore, I would like to have your comment -- the two
Presidents -- your perception concerning the triangular relationship
between CHina, the United States and Russia.
PRESIDENT JIANG: I don't see much contradiction in this
aspect, for I am coming here to the United States, this time at the
invitation of President Clinton for what is our fifth meeting with
one another, and, therefore, we are already old friends. And so am I
with President Yeltsin of Russia. And I still remember that in the
spring of 1995, the three of us met in Moscow. Therefore, I don't
see much contradiction in this regard. And we should all
commit ourselves to building a peaceful and beautiful new century.
PRESIDENT CLINTON: During the Cold War we were all
three suspicious of each other and we tried to play each other off
against the other. (Laughter.) So when Russia argued with China, we
were very happy. (Laughter.) Today, we must look to the future.
Russia has a strong democracy. Its economy is coming
back. We are working with Russia in Bosnia and in other places
around the world. In land mass, it is the largest country in the
world. It is a rich country. It is a European country and an Asian
country. And both China and the United States should have good
relations with Russia. And then the three of us should work together
on matters of common concern. This is not the Cold War; we need to
be looking to the future and a different set of relations.
Q Mr. President and Mr. President, I wonder if you
specifically had a chance to raise the cases of the two leading
political dissidents in China, Wang Dan and Wei Jingsheng, with
President Jiang and ask for their release. And to President Jiang,
why not simply release these political prisoners? And, also, why not
allow greater religious freedom in Tibet, which has become such an
emotional issue here in the United States, as well? Thank you.
PRESIDENT CLINTON: First, as Mr. Berger I think has
already told you, my answer to that question is, I discussed every
aspect of this issue in great detail.
PRESIDENT JIANG: To be frank with you, President
Clinton discussed all these relevant issues with me. I am the
President of the People's Republic of China and not the Chief Judge
of the Supreme Court of China. And as for the issues such as the one
concerning Wei Jingsheng, this involves China's criminal law and will
be resolved gradually according to the legal procedure by the court
of China.
As for the issue concerning religion in Tibet, in China
people have the freedom to exercise their different religious
beliefs. However, on this question, I believe religious freedom in
Tibet and the violation of criminal law are issues within different
framework. And, therefore, I hope that mutual understanding between
us will be promoted.
Q My question is for President Clinton. In China,
sometimes we are confused by American different policy to China. We
know when you -- there are factions in Congress which aren't friendly
to China. So as President, how do you coordinate the unbalance to
have a unified policy to China? Is there any elements to damage an
effective Sino-U.S. relationship?
PRESIDENT CLINTON: Well, let me say -- make a general
point first. It is very important that we understand each other so
that if we have a difference, it's a real difference and not a
misunderstanding. Therefore, in dealing with the United States,
unless there is some clear signal to the contrary, you should assume
that a statement by the President, the Vice President, the Secretary
of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Treasury,
the National Security Advisor, the Trade Ambassador, the people in
our direct line of authority -- they represent our policy.
We need the support of important people in Congress, and
much of the leadership does support this administration's China
policy. But I think it would be a mistake to think that the United
States has no unified China policy because individuals or groups in
the Congress disagree with it. We do have a lot of disagreement. We
have had for eight years now, ever since 1989. Until we resolve all
these issues, in that sense, our relations will never be fully
normal. But we have to keep pushing forward.
We have one last -- yes, this is the last one so the
Americas and the Chinese will be even. (Laughter.)
Q For President Jiang -- sir, officials in your
delegation have suggested that the protestors who have protested
Chinese policies in Tibet are, in many cases, young people, students
who have been misguided, misinformed by a Hollywood-led campaign.
Sir, if that is so, and if we take to heart your old Chinese saying
that seeing once is worth hearing a hundred times, would you be
willing to invite either a delegation, a senior delegation from the
United States Congress or a group of international journalists to
travel to Tibet and to see for themselves? Thank you.
PRESIDENT JIANG: I do, indeed, would like to welcome
more people to go to Tibet and see with their own eyes.
PRESIDENT CLINTON: Let me just, following up on that,
make it clear again that the United States has no political objective
in pressing the cause of Tibetans, the Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai
Lama. We have only asked for the resumption of a constructive
dialogue based on a commitment that there would be no attempt to
sever Tibet from China, but instead an attempt to reconcile the
peoples so that all freedom of religious expression and unique
cultures could be preserved.
Thank you very much.
PRESIDENT JIANG: Thank you.
END 4:35 P.M. EST