08 April 1999
TRANSCRIPT: ALBRIGHT, ZHU REMARKS AT STATE DEPARTMENT LUNCHEON
(Zhu visit opportunity to discuss issues that divide, unite) (1720) Washington -- The United States and China have learned through the years that normal relations do not mean untroubled relations, according to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. In that spirit, she said, she was pleased to offer Premier Zhu Rongji of China the opportunity during his visit to discuss issues that divide both countries as well as those upon which there exists a common view. "For example," Albright said, "the United States is convinced that NATO is doing the right thing in responding to the great humanitarian tragedy in Kosovo. I hope that as you travel around our country, you will understand how deeply Americans feel about the importance and universality of such fundamental principles as free expression, freedom of religion and the freedom of press." In her remarks, Albright also praised Zhu as the architect of many of China's ongoing economic reforms and said that a bilateral agreement on China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) would benefit both China and the United States. "It would help China to consolidate its reforms and to compete in the new global economy," she said. "It would lend new momentum to our economic relations based on fair and more open rules of investment and trade." Following is the State Department transcript: (begin transcript) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman April 8, 1999 LUNCHEON REMARKS BYSECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE K. ALBRIGHT AND PREMIER ZHU RONGJI, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA U.S. Department of State Washington, D.C. SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: Mr. Premier; Madame Lao; members of the Chinese delegation; Ambassador Sasser; colleagues and guests, I am delighted to welcome you to the Department of State. Mr. Premier, I know that you were formally received at the White House this morning, and I hope you will not be too disappointed in your reception here. Unfortunately, the security people do not allow us to salute State Department visitors with cannon fire. So we welcome you quietly, but warmly, nevertheless. This is the 20th year of relations between the United States and the People's Republic of China. This anniversary brings back some memories for me because two decades ago, I was a member of the National Security Council staff in the Carter Administration with my very good friend, Professor Michel Oksenberg. I remember that our decision to normalize was very controversial. But President Carter was firm in predicting that this decision would contribute to the well-being of both our countries and to the advancement of world peace. China's leadership expressed similar confidence and both were right. Since then, much has been accomplished, especially in recent years under President Clinton and President Jiang. We have strived to curb the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We've cooperated in efforts to maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula. We're partners in the fight against international terror and crime. We consult regularly on transnational problems such as safeguarding the global environment. We are deeply engaged on economic issues. You, Mr. Premier, are the architect of many of China's ongoing economic reforms. Your leadership has helped China play a responsible role in the Asia financial crisis and your personal involvement has helped bring us closer to a historic bilateral agreement on China's accession to the WTO. Such an agreement would benefit both countries. It would help China to consolidate its reforms and to compete in the new global economy. It would lend new momentum to our economic relations based on fair and more open rules of investment and trade. Mr. Premier, through the years, our two countries have learned that normal relations do not mean untroubled relations, and I know that you have a reputation for being direct. In our earlier meetings, I have found that to be true and, I, too, am fond of plain speaking. In that spirit, I am pleased that you will have the opportunity during your visit to discuss issues that divide us as well as those upon which we have a common view. For example, the United States is convinced that NATO is doing the right thing in responding to the great humanitarian tragedy in Kosovo. I hope that as you travel around our country, you will understand how deeply Americans feel about the importance and universality of such fundamental principles as free expression, freedom of religion and the freedom of press. This morning in your very bold and interesting welcoming statement, you did speak about the freedom-loving people of America. The convictions that we hold are not held by a shrill minority but rather by the vast majority of Americans and are reflected in our relations with all countries. Mr. Premier, in your Wall Street Journal interview, you were asked to describe yourself succinctly. You replied that you were an ordinary Chinese person who is, at the same time, Premier of China. I like that description, Mr. Premier, because I believe that the United States and China are most likely to make progress when we think in terms of what is best for ordinary people in both our countries. For that is when we focus on the long-term promise that lies beyond the immediate problems in our relationship. That is what keeps us striving to find additional areas where we cooperate in promoting a more stable and prosperous Asia and a more peaceful world. Mr. Premier, President Clinton and President Jiang were right to set our nations on the path toward constructive, strategic partnership. The United States remains committed to principled and purposeful engagement with China. That means, we will be honest with you about differences but, also, that we want to work with you to the benefit of ordinary people on both sides of the Pacific for decades to come. Now, I would like to have you all join me in a toast to the health of Premier Zhu and Madame Lao, to the success of their visit to the United States and to the future development and progress of relations between our two great countries. PREMIER RONGJI (through interpreter): Madame Secretary of State, ladies and gentlemen, it's really a great pleasure for the delegation of the People's Republic of China to have come to the beautiful city of Washington, DC and also have come to the beautiful country of the United States of America for a visit. I feel all the more delighted to see so many old friends and the good friends of mine present at this very grand welcoming luncheon hosted by Secretary Albright for us. Madame Secretary said that I'm a person known for being direct so, today, I'd like to be very honest with you. I had been quite reluctant to make this trip to tell you the truth. I thought, "What could I accomplish to make this trip to the United States when so many Americans are angry at China? Under such circumstances, no matter what I say, they will not listen." So then I went to my good friend, an old friend, Ambassador Sasser for advice. He said, "Don't be afraid. You just keep, always, a smiling face." I said, "Oh, that will be too difficult for me because in China, I'm well-known for having a hot temper. I'm known for liking arguing with people." Well, to be frank, Secretary Albright is inducing me to have an argument with her. Yesterday, she discussed for more than 20 minutes with me on the Kosovo question, and she said that your positions on Kosovo are right. Then I said, "No." Just now in her speech she said that I mentioned that the American people are freedom-loving people. But she didn't mention that I also said, "The Chinese people are a peace-loving people." I don't want to go on arguing as you are the gracious hostess, I don't want to argue with you. I can tell you that this morning, I already had very good discussions with President Clinton and also Secretary Albright and other colleagues. I can say that the discussions were friendly, frank, constructive and productive. I think that would be a very auspicious omen to show that visit this time by the delegation of the PRC to the United States will be a great success. After Washington, we are also going to Denver, Chicago, New York and Boston. I hope that I will have very extensive contacts with the American people. As I said in China, one of the purposes of my current visit to the United States is try to cool some Americans down. To do that, to cool them down, I think I need to make explanations and clarifications of the facts. We also need to discuss a lot of issues. To discuss issues, it is inevitable that some times we may argue with each other. But I think I have a quite similar character as the Americans, so I think we can have very good conversations, and we will not fight. I recall my last visit to the United States in 1990, when I headed a mayor's delegation as the mayor of Shanghai. At that time, China-US relations were at its lowest ebb or in its most difficult time. On the 24th of May, I went to Capitol Hill and I spent the whole day there having discussions with 24 members of the Congress. Of course, most of our discussions were like a debate. But I think we had very good conversations. As I was about to leave Capitol Hill, I encountered Senator Helms at the door. We also chatted for awhile at the door. So altogether, during that day, I had conversations with 25 members of the US Congress. As I had such good conversations with so many members of the Congress at that difficult period in our relations, so I think -- I believe today, I will be able to have a very good contacts and communications with the American people and their representatives. I have confidence that my visit to the United States this time will be successful. I feel all the more confident when I see so many good friends of mine here welcoming me. (In English) Thanks for your support. Thank you. (end transcript)
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
