Remarks With Chinese President Hu Jintao

Shortly after President Bush began his second administration in the United States, he specially sent you, his Secretary of State, to China for a visit. I think this fully shows the importance attached by President Bush and the U.S. government to developing China-U.S. relations.

I’m sure that Dr. Rice’s current visit to China will go a long way towards promoting the communication and the coordination between our two countries on issues of shared interest and also in promoting the continued growth of the constructive and the cooperative relationship between us.

And now I’m willing to listen to your views first and so that our people from the media will also have an opportunity to cover the moment that you speak.

SECRETARY RICE: Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. President. Thank you for welcoming me here. It is early in my tenure as Secretary of State, but I wanted to come here to emphasize how important the United States considers a constructive and growing and deepening relationship with China.

We will have the opportunity to discuss many issues, but in the framework of a constructive relationship that recognizes fully the transformation that is going on in China, a remarkable transformation that people around the world are watching. I’m quite certain that we will be able to manage the many issues before us and we will be able to do so in a spirit of cooperation and respect for one and other.