U.S. Relations With the People's Republic of China (2006)

U.S. Department of State

Interview With Reporters Before Departing Narita Airport

Christopher R. Hill, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs
Narita Airport
Tokyo, Japan
November 30, 2006

QUESTION: Did you meet with Mr. Sasae?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE HILL: We had a very good meeting with Mr. Sasae. Our Ambassador Schieffer took part in it, and I wanted to brief him on the second day of the consultations with the North Koreans in Beijing.

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

QUESTION: Are you satisfied with the discussions, then?

A/S HILL: Yes, I'm satisfied with the talks. I was especially satisfied with the growing cooperation with China, and I think that's been very, very important and very valuable. I think especially since the terrible decision of the North Koreans to explode the nuclear device, I think it's helped bring the five of us -- the five other parties -- much closer together. So if you don't mind, I don't want to miss this plane. I look forward to seeing you all again sometime. Thank you very much.

Released on November 30, 2006