Note: This Electronic Research Collection is an archive site. For the most current information, please visit the
U.S. Department of State
95/08/01 Press Availability: Christopher/Chinese ForMin
Office of the Spokesman
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
(Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUGUST 1, 1995
PRESS AVAILABILITY WITH
U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER
AND
CHINESE VICE PREMIER AND FOREIGN MINISTER QIAN QICHEN
PRIOR TO THEIR BILATERAL MEETING
International Conference Center
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
August 1, 1995
VICE PREMIER QIAN: (Through Interpreter) This is the second meeting
this year between Secretary Christopher and me. Regrettably, this
meeting takes place at a time when Sino-U.S. relations are faced with
serious difficulties. We hope that China and the United States maintain
a normal and sound relationship., for this serves not only the interests
of the two countries but also peace and stability in the world and the
Asia-Pacific region in particular. However, the growth of Sino-U.S.
relations is based on principles, that is, the principles signed in the
three Sino-U.S. joint communiques, the core of which is the question of
Taiwan.
In his statement in New York on July 28, Mr. Secretary reaffirmed that
the United States has not and it does not intend to change the long-
standing one-China policy, and that it recognizes that the government of
the PRC is the sole legal government of China, and that is but one China
and that Taiwan is part of China. We, of course, attach great
importance to these statements. Meanwhile, nevertheless, I would like
to point out that, as an old Chinese saying goes to the fact, that
"Words must count and deeds must yield results. Words have their
values only when they are honored in deeds". In what direction Sino-
U.S. relations develop will depend on the actual deeds in implementing
the three joint communiques. I am ready to have serious discussions and
a frank and pragmatic attitude with Secretary Christopher on how to
remove the serious damage to Sino-U.S. relations caused by Lee Teng-
hui’s visit to the United States. I hope that this meeting of ours will
be a useful and a constructive one. Thank you all.
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: Thank you very much. I, too, welcome this
opportunity to meet again with Vice Premier and Foreign Minister Qian
Qichen. This is our ninth meeting over the last two years, and, as he
said, our second meeting this year. The Vice Premier and I have worked
together on a number of issues, including notably our efforts to achieve
and implement the U.S.-North Korean Framework Accord. I very much
appreciate his insight and I look forward to a useful discussion with
him of the matters that he mentioned.
Our meeting comes today at an important and challenging time in our
relationship. I believe that a strong, able, open and prosperous China
can be a valuable partner for the United States and a responsible member
of the international community. I also believe that China has as great
a stake as we do in maintaining a productive relationship. Regular
dialogues and contacts at all levels are essential if the United States
and China are to maximize our cooperation in the many areas where we
agree and to manage our differences in those areas where our views
diverge.
This evening the Vice Premier and I will discus
s the fundamentals of
the United States-China relationship. We'll talk about how we can work
to restore the positive momentum in our relationships. President
Clinton and I are committed to maintaining the one-China policy that has
served as the basis for the United States engagement with China during
the administration of the past six Presidents, both Democrat and
Republican.
As I made clear in my speech at the National Press Club in Washington
last Friday, that policy has not changed. Starting in 1972, the United
States has followed the basic principles contained in the three
communiques and we will continue to do so. In our view we have all
benefited from the official relations we have maintained with China
since 1979 and the unofficial but friendly relationships we have
maintained with Taiwan during the same period. It is critical for
China, for Taiwan, and for the United States to reflect the strong
interest that we share in maintaining the continuity of the set of
relationships that are set forth in the three communiques, in the U.S.-
Taiwan Relations Act.
Indeed at the time when the Asia-Pacific region is remarkably free of
conflict, we must work hard to ensure that these favorable conditions
continue. The ASEAN Regional Forum, for example, which we have just
come from and where we both participate can contribute to that security
and stability. Let me add that all the members of the Forum were
reassured by the constructive nature of the Vice Premier's comments
today on the South China Sea situation. Our work together in APEC, to
take another example, also contributes to the growth and integration of
this region and the stability and prosperity of the region.
The United States staunchly supports China's accession to the World
Trade Organization on commercially acceptable terms. We believe that
China's membership in that organization will widen and strengthen the
world trading system. The importance of the U.S.-China relationship
obliges all of us to address and manage our differences and concerns
with an eye to the long-term interest of both countries. In that vein,
we must address and will be discussing today such issues as non-
proliferation and human rights. We will also discuss our concern over
American citizen Harry Wu. I look forward to discussing the many
matters that we have before us in a positive, constructive way. Thank
you very much.
QUESTION: What is the main problem in Sino-U.S. relations?
VICE PREMIER QIAN: (Through Interpreter) There are some problems now in
Sino-U.S. relations but the main problem is the question of Taiwan,
which is caused by the U.S. side's decision to allow Lee Teng-hui to
visit the United States last June. At today's meeting we are going to
discuss how to remove the consequence caused by Lee Teng-hui’s visit to
the United States.
QUESTION: Mr. Qian, can there be a summit meeting between China and the
United States without a commitment from the United States not to admit
Lee Teng-hui again?
VICE PREMIER QIAN: (Through Interpreter) Maybe we will touch upon this
question during today's meeting ,but now I cannot say what will be the
result.
QUESTION: What can the Chinese Government do to enable the U.S.
Government to realize the importance of Sino-U.S. relations?
VICE PREMIER QIAN: (Through Interpreter) I think that the statement
made by the Secretary just now and the statement made in New York all
have shown that Mr. Secretary attaches great importance to Sino-U.S.
relations.
QUESTION: Mr. Qian, yesterday Secretary Christopher said it would be
very difficult to imagine a summit meeting between President Clinton and
President Jiang Zemin unless Harry Wu was released. I'm wondering what
your reaction to that statement was and whether you think that is a
reasonable condition for a summit meeting?
VICE PREMIER QIAN: (Through Interpreter) The case of Harry Wu is now
undergoing the legal process of China and this problem can only be
resolved after the legal process of this case has been gone through.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, how forceful are you
going to be on the issue
of Harry Wu's detention in these talks today?
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: Harry Wu is an American citizen who has a
reputation in the United States for a very strong and forceful advocacy
of the positions in which he believes. I said yesterday that it would
be difficult to have a summit meeting if he is still incarcerated, but
the Vice Premier has twice answered the question today as to how they
will be proceeding in China on this subject. We'll certainly be
discussing it, but I think with an American citizen incarcerated in
China, and with our discussion about to take place on that subject, I
don't think it would be useful for me to try to speculate further on the
subject than I have said.
Let me emphasize though before we begin our discussion how exceedingly
important I believe the U.S.-China relationship is. Before coming here
I made a speech, the largest portion of which was devoted to discussing
the U.S.-China relationship. The Vice Premier was good enough to say he
had read t
h
e entire speech and so I think he is well- aware of the
fact that the United States places great value on the China
relationship, and indeed, I think its of great importance to both of us
and that's why we've met nine times in the last two plus years and why
we're meeting today and why I hope we'll also have opportunities to meet
again before the year is out. Thank you very much.
To the top of this page