U.S. Relations With the People's Republic of China (2008)

The White House

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 7, 2008

Fact Sheet: the United States and Asia: Enduring Freedom and Prosperity

President Bush Improved A Strong Alliance With Asian Nations Based On Honesty, Respect, And Shared Values

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Our Nations Are Confronting Serious Challenges To Our People And Our Prosperity

We are ensuring that whatever challenges the future may bring, the nations of the Asia Pacific will meet them together. Governments across the region have coordinated efforts to address pandemics such as the avian flu. The region has come together to respond to natural disasters, from the tsunami of 2004 to this year's cyclone. President Bush, along with leaders from Korea, Japan, China, India, and Australia, founded the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate to help advance practical work on the environment and sustainable development. The Major Economies of the region are working for a global climate agreement that improves energy security and cuts greenhouse gases without cutting economic growth.

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Together, our nations are confronting the threat posed by a North Korea armed with nuclear weapons. The United States joined with China, South Korea, Japan, and Russia to create the Six-Party Talks, which led North Korea to pledge to dismantle its nuclear facilities and abandon its nuclear weapons. Recently, the regime submitted a declaration of its nuclear activities -- now the North Korean regime must commit to help us verify the declaration and address outstanding concerns about its behavior, including its proliferation and uranium enrichment.

A Successful Future For Asia Requires Strong Involvement Of Both China And The United States

Under the President's leadership, the United States has established a new Strategic Economic Dialogue with China to discuss ways to ensure long-term growth and widely-shared prosperity in both economies, as well as issues such as currency exchange rates and intellectual property rights. The President is also making clear to China that being a global economic leader carries with it the duty to act responsibly on matters ranging from energy to the environment to development in Africa.

President Bush has met repeatedly with Chinese dissidents and religious believers. The President stands in firm opposition to China's detention of political dissidents, human rights advocates, and religious activists. President Bush continues to speak out for a free press, freedom of assembly, and labor rights. Trusting people with greater freedom is the only way for China to develop its full potential.

Ultimately, only China can decide what course it will follow -- the United States and its partners are realistic and prepared for any possibility. Young people who grow up with the freedom to trade goods will ultimately demand the freedom to trade ideas, especially on an unrestricted internet. China must play by the rules of the international economic system, a system that benefits China and the United States. The United States strongly supported China's entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001. The growth sparked by China's free market reforms is good for the Chinese people. China's new purchasing power is also good for the world because it provides an enormous market for exports from across the world.

The President's four goals in Asia have provided a platform for engagement with China for the United States and our allies. This constructive relationship has allowed President Bush to speak clearly, candidly, and consistently with China's leaders about our deep concerns over religious freedom and human rights.