Bush's China visit show divisions still there
Although Beijing tried to emphasise the bright side of US-China relations, the two countries were, and remain, divided on many issues ranging from weapons proliferation and human rights to Taiwan and religious freedom.
Even before he arrived in Beijing Thursday on the last leg of his East Asian tour, which included visits to Tokyo and Seoul, Bush had already made a statement, analysts here say.
''When (President) Bill Clinton came to Beijing in 1998, China was his only destination," says Professor Pang Zhongying of the International Affairs Research Institute of Xinhua University. ''But President Bush wants to show us that the United States places more importance on the relations with its allied countries than on those with China.''
Both Washington and Beijing tried to focus on progress in bilateral ties over the last three decades since former US President Richard Nixon's historic visit in 1972.
Indeed, expectations for this visit were running high, not least because it was laden with symbolism and timing. Bush arrived in Beijing 30 years to the day since Nixon's visit. That visit began the process of normalising relations between the two countries after years of hostility.
Addressing students at Tsinghua University Friday, Bush started on a reminiscent note, recalling how former Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai told Nixon: ''Your handshake came over the vastest ocean in the world - 25 years of no communication.''
''During the 30 years since, America and China have exchanged many handshakes of friendship and commerce,'' Bush said.
He put special stress on the new partnership between Washington and Beijing after the Sept 11 attacks on the United States.
"Terrorism is a threat to both our countries," Bush said after his talks with President Jiang Zemin Thursday. "I welcome China's cooperation in our war against terror. I encourage China to continue to be a force for peace among its neighbours."
Divergence of opinions
On Friday, Premier Zhu Rongji said: ''History shows that there do exist differences of this sort or that between China and the United States, but (the two countries) have extensive and important common interests.''
The day before, Jiang said the two countries had achieved ''consensus" and ''positive results'' in many areas during the visit. ''China and theUnited States have different conditions, and the existence of some differences is normal.''
The divergence of opinions kept creeping up during Bush' 38-hour visit, which took him from the Great Hall of the People to Tsinghua University, one of the China's most prestigious academic institutions.
At Thursday's joint press conference, which was shown nationwide, Bush thanked Beijing for its anti-terrorism solidarity after the attacks of Sept 11, but also pressed the Chinese leadership to curb the sale of weapons technology and to let the Chinese people worship freely.
"My government hopes that China will strongly oppose the proliferation of missiles and other deadly technologies," he said.
The United States alleges that Beijing continues to transfer weapons technology to North Korea and Iran, despite having signed an agreement in November 2000 to halt missile-related sales.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said Friday that the two countries will maintain cooperation on non-proliferation, saying Beijing is working on an export control list for missile-related items.
Defence experts had hopes that a deal on arms proliferation could be secured during Bush's visit, but they were disappointed.
Taiwan question
Bush also made a pitch for religious freedom and market-style capitalism at Tsinghua University, where he took some questions on Taiwan and his impressions of China from the students there.
''Freedom of religion is not something to be feared, it's something to be welcomed,'' Bush said, adding that ''tens of millions'' of Chinese themselves are relearning different religions.
''Regardless of where or how these believers worship, they are no threat to public order. In fact, they make good citizens,'' he said. ''My prayer is that all persecution will end so that all in China are free to gather and worship as they wish.''
Jiang had said earlier that Chinese have freedom of religion, but also needed to follow the law. ''There are many religious believers in China,'' he was quoted as saying by the state news agency Xinhua.
''I have read the Bible, the Korean and the Diamond Sutra of Buddhism and often have meetings with spiritual leaders in China,'' he added.
Bush also linked economic changes with political freedom, saying ''recognising the desires of the individual in the marketplace is part of a free society, It is part of the definition of freedom.''
The Taiwan question also figured in Bush visit, with the two countries apparently agreeing to disagree on the matter. Bush said the United States observes the one-China policy but favours a peaceful way of resolving the Taiwan issue.
Taiwan was also highlighted at the discussion at Tsinghua, with the first and second questions from the student audience focusing on the island that Beijing considers a renegade province.
The first student asked if Bush's planned national missile defence system covered Taiwan, and why ''whenever you talk about the Taiwan issue you always useful the phrase like 'peaceful settlement'. You never use the phrase 'peaceful reunification'. What's the difference and why?'' he asked.
''Very good question,'' Bush replied, saying that Washington hopes the settlement of the Taiwan question is done ''in a peaceful way''.
Global power
To the second query, he said the United States remains committed to the Taiwan Relations Act and would come to its defense if attacked, ''but we've also sent the same message that there should be no provocation by either party - for a peaceful dialogue''.
Other sticky points between China and Washington are Beijing's objections to US plans for a national defence system, which it says will undermine its own missile programme. Defense experts say China possesses 20 long-range missiles able to strike at the US West Coast.
Beijing also complains that the United States views China as a threat and is determined to contain its rise as a global power - indeed, Chinese officials this week said Beijing was no threat to other nations. (IPS)
