Politics

Bush Meets Chinese Leader

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

March 22, 2001 / 10:44 AM EST / CBS

President Bush pledged Thursday to be "firm" and fair in dealing with China, linking U.S. relations to Beijing's human rights record. He said in a meeting with China's deputy prime minister that the United States would honor military commitments to Taiwan.

"Our relationship will move forward, but it would certainly be a lot easier to move forward in a constructive way when (the) people with whom we conduct our affairs honor religious freedom within their borders," the president said at the top of an hourlong meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Qian Qichen.

The leaders shied away from specifics, but did not deny their nations had many differences: Chinese opposition to Mr. Bush's missile defense plans, potential U.S. arms sales to China rival Taiwan and allegations of human rights abuses by Beijing.

"I look forward to committing to this distinguished leader that (despite) any disagreements that we will have we will conduct ourselves with mutual respect," Mr. Bush said, with a nod to his guest. "I'll be firm — and I suspect he will be firm — our opinions, but we'll do so in a respectful way. It is in our nations' best interests that we have good relations with China."

Before meeting with Mr. Bush, Qian had talked to top administration officials about Iraqi sanctions, Chinese and North Korean missile proliferation and obstacles preventing China from joining the World Trade Organization.

"Where we have shared interests, we can advance our relationship forward. Where we disagree, we can have very good exchange of views," Qian, seated side-by-side with Mr. Bush in arm chairs, said through an interpreter.

After days of hesitation from his aides, Mr. Bush confirmed that he will visit Beijing in the fall as part of a broader Asian trip. Mr. Bush recalled visiting the nation in 1975, when he was about 28 and his father was U.S. ambassador to China.

"I look forward to my return," he said. "I can't wait to see the change, the contrast between when I was a younger fellow and now when I'm kind of an older guy."

In advance of his White House meeting, Qian warned that Chinese-American relations would suffer a "very serious" blow if Taiwan receives permission to buy four U.S. destroyers equipped with advanced Aegis radar systems.

Up In Arms

Topping Taiwan's wish list of military gadgets is the advanced Aegis class destroers. They are designed to defend ships against aircraft and missile attacks and would complement American made fighter jets and other arms modernizing Taiwan's military.

However, China fears this state of the art radar system will significantly enhance Taiwan's defensive capability.

Click here to read China's CBS News Correspondent Barry Petersen's report on China's reaction to the potential sale.

China fears this state-of-the-art radar system will significantly enhance Taiwan's defensive capability, reports CBS News Correspondent Barry Petersen.

China's Communist leaders call Taiwan a breakaway, renegade province, which is why they see U.S. arms sales as meddling in China's internal affairs.

Under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, U.S. policy is to meet Taiwan's legitimate defense needs.

"We have obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act, and we'll honor those obligations. No decision has been made yet as to the sale of weapons to Taiwan," Mr. Bush said.

It was unclear whether Qian discussed the topic with Mr. Bush or the U.S. foreign policy team. The State Department has said it is longstanding U.S. policy not to consult with China on U.S. arms sales policies toward the island.

"If he cares to bring up the subject and wishes to make a case, I will be glad to listen," Mr. Bush said before the meeting. "I'll do what I think is in the best interests of our relationships and the best interests of conforming to obligations we have."

On human rights, Mr. Bush seconded the remarks of Secretary of State Colin Powell, who complained hours before the Oval Office session about China's detention of a U.S.-based scholar. Powell said it was "particularly outrageous" that the woman's 5-year-old son, a U.S. citizen, was taken from her and held for a month.

"I look forward to discussing this with our honorable guest and will do so," Mr. Bush said.

Gao Zhan, a Chinese-born American University professor, was picked up at Beijing airport Feb. 11 with her husband and son. Her husband, Xue Donghua and son were held separately for 26 days before being allowed to return to the United States.

Mr. Bush spoke more broadly about human rights later in the brief question-and-answer session, saying: "It'll come as no surprise to our Chinese guest that I'm a believer in religious freedom, and I will make as stately, as politely and as clearly as I can that ours is a nation that respects religious freedom; ours is a nation that honors religious freedom," he said.