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I think you have to see this meeting in the context of an overall process that is going forward. In particular, in recent months--since August in Brunei when we had some turbulence in our relationship, we've been moving forward ever since. I think today was another significant step forward, indeed, as Mike has pointed out. The presidents will be seeing each other again in Osaka.
From the very beginning, both presidents sought to focus on the framework for our relationship--the long-term importance of strong ties between the two countries not only for our two peoples but also for the region and for the world. President Clinton certainly sketched out at the beginning--in the small meeting--his vision of this relationship and the potential for it, but he also recognizes the differences. His feeling is that if we can establish a broad framework and have an honest dialogue, we can manage those differences more effectively.
President Jiang Zemin reciprocated--I will let the Chinese essentially speak for themselves--but it is clear that he underlined China's strong interest in a stable and healthy relationship with the United States as we head toward the next century.
As a result of this very productive meeting--and as Mike said, the President thought it was the best of the three they have had so far-- it's fair to say not only did they sketch the strategic vision of the relationship but they have established some new agenda items. There was particular discussion of fighting international crime, narcotics flows, and international drug cartels and cooperating in inter-national law enforcement. There was also agreement to pursue high-level dialogue on the environment, sustainable development, and energy.
Other dialogues also will be pursued on strategic and regional issues, and we are working, therefore, to broaden the agenda even further. Meanwhile, we are also in the process of resuming more traditional dialogues which are also very important, and we expect to make progress on those as well.
In this regard, the two presidents had a considered discussion on economic issues and the need to open up China's market, on China's interest in acceding to the WTO, and on the need to enforce intellectual property rights. The President expressed our well-known concerns on human rights generally and the need for dialogue in that area, and we have, of course, referred to specific cases, as well as the issue of Tibet.
In the discussion on non-proliferation, the President noted that most of the major powers--the nuclear powers--are in favor of a zero-yield comprehensive test ban treaty. I would note that that was a significant outcome of the President's meeting with Mr. Yeltsin yesterday. The two sides agreed to pursue that issue. The Chinese reaffirmed their intention to sign a comprehensive test ban treaty in 1996. Their view on the zero-yield, in effect, is that it seems to be on a similar track as their own, but they want to study the issue further, so that was a favorable discussion as well.
Finally, they agreed that it's important to stay in touch. Face-to-face meetings are the most useful, but the two sides are going to explore whether or not more direct telephone or other communications can also be set up.
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