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President Bush Meets with President Hu Jintao of the People's Republic of
China
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary July 9, 2008

President Bush Meets with President Hu Jintao of the People's Republic of
China Windsor Hotel Toya Resort and Spa Toyako, Japan

˙ /news/releases/2008/07/20080709-2.wm.v.html ˙˙Presidential Remarks
˙˙Audio

˙˙˙˙˙ G8 Summit 2008

3:33 P.M. (Local)

PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. President, thank you very much for your time. We -- you
and I have had a lot of meetings together, and I always appreciate the
candid discussions on a variety of issues.

The President and I discussed Taiwan. We discussed Sudan. We discussed
trade. We discussed a variety of issues. I told the President I was looking
forward to coming to the Olympics. I reminded him that not only am I
coming, but my wife, my mother and dad will be there, and we're looking
forward to your hospitality.

And of course, in this context, I -- the President and I have constantly
had discussions about human rights and political freedom. He knows my
position. And as I told our people, Mr. President, I don't need the
Olympics to talk candidly with somebody who I've got good relations with.

So I'm looking forward to your hospitality, and I'm really looking forward
to watching the American Olympic team compete, particularly with the mighty
Chinese team. And I'm hoping to get tickets for the U.S.-Chinese basketball
game. If you could help me get a ticket, I'd appreciate it. (Laughter.)

But thank you very much.

PRESIDENT HU: (As translated.) Just now, President Bush and I had a sincere
and friendly meeting, and we had an in-depth exchange of views on
China-U.S. relations and issues of mutual interest. We both believe that
new progress has been made in China-U.S. relationship in recent years. Our
two countries not only have close interactions between high-level leaders,
but also between people at various other levels. Not long ago, China and
United States successfully held the fourth strategic economic dialogue,
which produced positive results.

In addition, our two countries have also had fruitful cooperation in
economic trade, counterterrorism, energy, the environmental protection, and
other areas. We also have had close communication and coordination on such
major regional and international issues as the Korean nuclear issue and the
Iranian nuclear issue.

To further consolidate and grow China-U.S. relationship not only serves the
fundamental interests of our two countries and our two peoples, but also
will have a major impact on peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia
Pacific region and in the world at large. Both President Bush and I said
that we will continue to keep the larger direction of growing this
constructive and cooperative relationship between us, and we will try to
make efforts to ensure that this relationship will continue to grow on a
sound and steady course.

I also briefed President Bush about the Chinese position on the Taiwan
issue and informed President Bush about the current situation in the Taiwan
Strait. We hope that the U.S. side will continue to follow the one China
policy.

I welcome President Bush to Beijing to attend the Opening Ceremony of the
Olympic Games. And I highly appreciated that President Bush has on various
occasions expressed his opposition to politicizing the Olympic Games.

Thank you, Mr. President.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, sir.

END 3:40 P.M. (Local)

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