Office of the Press Secretary
(Beijing, People's Republic of China)
| For Immediate Release | | June 27, 1998 |
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT CLINTON
AND PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN
IN PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Great Hall of the People
Beijing, People's Republic of China
9:23 A.M. (L)
PRESIDENT JIANG: First of all, I'd like to welcomeyou, Mr. President, on the state visit to China. And I'm lookingforward to an in-depth exchange of views with you on a series ofmajor issues.
Last fall I paid a state visit to your country atyour invitation, and we made an important decision -- that isChina and the United States would work together to establish a21st century-oriented constructive, strategic partnership. Todayyour visit is another major event in China-U.S. relations.
The exchange of visits between the heads of state ofChina and the United States represents the common desire of ourtwo peoples, and also marks a new stage of growth for thebilateral relations. Facts have demonstrated that improvementin growth of China-U.S. relations are the inevitable developmentof the history and are irresistible for any force on Earth. I'mprepared to work together with you, Mr. President, to make yourvisit a complete success.
PRESIDENT CLINTON: Thank you very much, Mr.President. As you know, this is my first trip to China, thefirst by an American President in nine years. It comes onlyeight months after your visit to the United States, which wasvery successful. I believe that these two visits demonstrate ourcommitment and our progress in building the constructive,strategic partnership we talked about last October.
I know that I speak for the vast majority of theAmerican people when I say that this effort to improve andstrengthen our relationship is very welcome. I have beenimpressed by the progress we have made and by the open and honestrelationship we have developed in discussing all matters, and forthat I thank you very much.
I very much hope this trip will not only help us toexpand our areas of cooperation and move toward reconciling ourdifferences, but also will help to increase the understanding ofthe American people about China and the Chinese people aboutAmerica, because long after we are gone from the scene our peoplewill have to carry on this partnership and this friendship.
