Ｆｏｒｍｅｒ ＵＳ Ｐｒｅｓｉｄｅｎｔ Ｂｕｓｈ Ｖｉｓｉｔｓ Ｃｈｉｎａ

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At the invitation of CPAFFC, former US President George H.W. Bush and his wife visited Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai from March 5 to 11. Chinese President Hu Jintao, former President Jiang Zemin, CPPCC Vice Chairman Tung Chee Hwa, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with him respectively. CPAFFC Vice President Li Xiaolin accompanied Bush in Beijing and Shanghai. During his stay in Beijing, Bush attended the World Leaders East Asia Symposium organized by Harvard Alumni Association and delivered a keynote speech. While in Shanghai, he was present at the christening ceremony of the ship “Texas” launched by the MV Orient Overseas Container Line Limited (OOCL).

President Hu Jintao spoke highly of the development of China-US relations in recent years and expressed his appreciation for Bushs care and consistent support for developing China-US relations as well as the friendship between the two peoples. He emphasized that sound and stable China-US relationship is not only in the common interest of the two countries but also of great significance to the peace and development of Asia-Pacific Region and the world at large. China wishes to work together with the U.S. to properly handle differences and major concerns through dialogue and negotiation on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit so as to expand exchanges and cooperation in all fields and promote the healthy and stable development of China-US constructive cooperative relationship. President Hu also briefed Bush on Chinese Governments consistent stand on the question of Taiwan and the preparations for the Beijing Olympic Games.

Bush said he always believes that US-China relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world and he was glad to see its progress in recent years. He was confident that the bilateral relationship will maintain the positive momentum. Bush also expressed his expectation to watch the Beijing Olympic Games this August as the Honorary Captain of the US Olympic Delegation. He stated that Olympic Games is a worldwide sports event and should not be politicized. The Chinese government and people have made huge efforts to host this event and he believed that the Beijing Olympic Games will achieve full success.

In his keynote speech at the World Leaders Symposium Bush recalled his life and contacts between the U. S. and China during the period from October 1974 to December 1975 when he was director of the US Liaison Office in China. He said that as early as that time, he was already aware of the importance of China to the U.S., and that the U.S. must develop bilateral relations with China. Now US-China relationship has become the most important external relations of the U.S. and its development is of key significance to the peace, security and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific Region and the world as a whole.

At his interview with Todays Focus of CCTV International, Bush spoke about his views on people-to-people diplomacy. He said that having paid eighteen visits to China since leaving presidency, he was deeply impressed by the enthusiasm and friendliness of the Chinese people. People-to-people diplomacy is very important, as a person could possibly change his view of the other country because of finding identity with an individual of that country he has got in contact. Without people-to-people interaction, the two countries will be like two ships sailing closely at the vast ocean at dark night, but never see each other. The U.S. and China should strengthen people-to-people friendly contact in future.