President Bill Clinton, Chinese President Jiang Zemin -- Oct. 29, 1997

JIANG (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): 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 fields.

To step up our economic cooperation in 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.

CLINTON: Let the Chinese go first.

(LAUGHTER)

We'll wait.

QUESTION (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): I have a question, which I would like to ask from 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?

JIANG (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): And your question recorded (ph) me at 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 us both sides are working together and taking many specific measures to achieve this goal, and to put it more

There are a lot of words 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)

QUESTION: Sir, we're told that you have asked (OFF-MIKE) last night for the release of (OFF-MIKE) dissidents. And the Chinese have not done so. Is it acceptable for China to refuse even such a moderate gesture?

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 -- excuse me -- this interest that we have in working with China relates to the fact that we have common values and common interests related to preserving peace, to growing the economy, to stopping the spread of dangerous weapons. We have an agreement to fight narcotrafficking. We have an agreement to work together on the terrific environmental challenges we face right across the board.

And 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 or that issue.

CLINTON: Mr. President.

(LAUGHTER)

QUESTION (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): I have a question for your excellency, President Jiang Zemin. Why is the Taiwan issue the core issue in China-U.S. relations?

JIANG (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): 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, but 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.

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