Hu Jintao Meets Bush, Cheney

(English.peopledaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-01-07 16:41

Visiting Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao meets US President George W. Bush and vice President Dick Cheney in Washington on May 1, 2002.

US President George Bush (R) shakes hands with Hu Jintao, then vice-president of China, in the White House during Hu's visit to the United States in the May 1, 2002 file photo. [Chinadaily.com.cn]

After their 30-minute meeting, press secretary Ari Fleischer said Bush told Hu he was confident the countries can resolve their differences over Taiwan and human rights, and pleased with the state of US relations with China. The two leaders discussed the war on terrorism, agricultural issues, Taiwan, missile proliferation, trade and human rights.

Hu left the White House without comment, waving to reporters as he took off in his motorcade. Before meeting with Bush, Hu spoke with Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other US officials.

Fleischer said Bush "expressed his belief that the United States and China can work well together on a wide range of issues. He noted there may be some disagreements, but he believed they could be addressed productively." Bush and Hu had met in Beijing in February.

Before the meeting, Fleischer said the president was expected to reaffirm that the administration seeks "a peaceful resolution of any differences between Chinese mainland and Taiwan and that we do not wish to see provocation on either side of the Taiwan Strait.'' He listed religious freedom and human rights as other areas of disagreement with China.

At their luncheon, the main issues were economic development, Taiwan, nonproliferation and the war on terror. They were joined by Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill, Commerce Secretary Donald Evans and Labor Secretary Elaine Chao.

Hu also raised the Taiwan issue with Secretary of State Colin Powell Tuesday evening. Powell reaffirmed the US commitment to a one-China policy, department spokesman Richard Boucher said. Powell also reaffirmed the US commitment to protection of human rights in China.

During a 45-minute meeting with Cheney followed by lunch, Hu and Cheney discussed the terror war, China's economic development, Taiwan, and Chinese missile technology exports,Cheney spokeswoman Jennifer Millerwise said.

Hu arrived from New York on Tuesday after visits to Honolulu and San Francisco.

The Chinese Vice President will deliver an important speech on US-China relations Wednesday evening and then heads for San Francisco on Thursday before returning home.