Angie Craig: “later this month President Bush will be visiting the People's Republic of China. Clearly this is going to be an…”

“later this month President Bush will be visiting the People's Republic of China. Clearly this is going to be an important visit. The issues the President will discuss with China's leaders are among the most important of our national agenda, including the following: The war on terrorism, where we need China's continued support and cooperation. The global economy and our bilateral economic relations with the PRC, a new member of the WTO. Security relations in Asia where both of our countries have important interests and long-standing and close ties to other regional powers. Among all these issues, though, one that will undoubtedly be raised by the PRC is Taiwan. It is a pretty safe bet that the PRC's leaders will try to use the President's visits to win some concessions on issues relating to Taiwan. They will probe for any signs that the United States is willing to compromise some of our interests in a strong U.S.-ROC relationship in exchange for real or promised strengthening of our ties with Beijing. I know the President will be ready for this gambit, and will be fully prepared and determined to turn back any such efforts by Beijing. The President has already made it clear how important our ties with Taiwan are to the United States, and he has made it equally clear that he will not compromise our interest in regard to Taiwan in any way.”