Successful Crawford Meeting Expected: Powell

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, October 23, 2002

Successful Crawford Meeting Expected: Powell

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In a recent interview by Phoenix TV reporter Yeeli Hua Zheng, US Secretary of State Colin Powell expressed confidence in a good outcome at the coming summit between President Jiang Zemin and US President Bush at Bush's private ranch in Crawford, Texas.

"Well, let me say that the president is very much looking forward to receiving President Jiang Zemin at Crawford next Friday," Powell said.

"Crawford is a special place for the president. It is his home, it is his ranch. He only brings people there who he considers friends, and he certainly considers President Jiang Zemin a friend. I think the president is very pleased with the way US-Chinese relations have developed over the past 21 months of this administration," Powell said.

As for the further development of bilateral relations, Powell noted that the two leaders had met a number of times and that he has stayed in very close contact with his colleague in the Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Tang, to whom he talks on a regular basis.

"We have been able to get through some difficult situations. We got through that and put it behind us, because we realize that the United States and China must work together. We are two important nations that want to move forward together, to improve our economic relationship, to improve our co-operation on sensitive matters in the region and regional stability. I think this will be an opportunity to push forward that relationship. The two presidents will focus on economic issues, on co-operation issues, such as military to military co-operation and political co-operation," Powell said.

Speaking on the content of the ranch summit, he added: "I am sure that they will also talk about the regional situation, what is going on in North Korea right now. Obviously, they will also talk about Iraq. We stay in very close touch with our Chinese colleagues because they are one of the permanent members of the Security Council. We stay in close touch with China regarding the United Nations resolutions with respect to Iraq.

"I am sure they will talk about it. I look forward to the two leaders having a fruitful conversation."

The Secretary of State also talked about the United States' view of China.

"We see China as a friend now. Nobody in the administration sees China as an enemy," he emphasized.

"China is an important country that is gaining new-found status in the world now that it is part of the World Trade Organization, now that is generating wealth because it is participating in the global economy. We want to work with China to help China grow, to benefit all of the Chinese people: Not just those in urban areas but those in need who live in the other parts of China. And so it is quite possible for our two nations with different political systems and different beliefs to co-operate, to narrow differences, and to support one another," Powell said.

"And we don't see China as an enemy," he reiterated.

Powell pointed out that al-Qaida is not just an enemy of the United States.

"As we saw in Bali, Indonesia, a few days ago, al-Qaida is an enemy of the world, " he said.

"China has its own concerns with organizations that have terrorist links. We've co-operated with China. I must say that I have to express my appreciation and thanks for all the support that the Chinese leadership and the Chinese people have given to the United States since September 11 in 2001," Powell said.

Regarding Taiwan, Powell said: "We are very much committed to our one-China policy, and President Bush will reaffirm that again to President Jiang Zemin."

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