US President George W. Bush and Chinese President Jiang Zemin (
Bush said both China and the US "will continue to work toward a nuclear weapons-free Korean peninsula, and a peaceful resolution of this issue."
Jiang echoed Bush's comments as the two leaders met at Bush's Texas ranch, a summit initially arranged as a farewell for the Asian leader, who is leaving office, but changed by quick-moving events in North Korea.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The two also discussed Iraq, another point dividing the United States and China.
The Bush administration wants a UN resolution that holds out the threat of military action unless Saddam Hussein disarms. China, Russia and France are cool to language that suggests the use of force.
Bush said he would not accept a weak resolution.
"Let me put it bluntly: There must be consequences," Bush said.
On human rights, another sensitive issue between the two countries, Jiang said he had expressed to Bush "my views on the importance of China freeing prisoners of conscience, giving fair treatment to peoples of faith and preserving the rights of Hong Kong's citizens.
"I also spoke of the importance of respecting human rights in Tibet and encouraged more dialogue with Tibetan leaders," Jiang said.
Bush said Vice President Dick Cheney will visit China in the spring.
Due to bad weather,the news conference was held in a metal hangar that normally stores Marine One, Bush's helicopter.
The Chinese president's six-car motorcade pulled up the gravel driveway of Bush's ranch here, 30 minutes behind schedule. "How are you, sir," said Bush as he peered in to Jiang's car. First lady Laura Bush took the hand of Jiang's wife: "Welcome to our home."
The famously punctual Bush had been kept waiting in the cold on the porch of his home, glancing at his watch and growing antsy before heading back inside with the first lady.
Jiang, preparing to move to a lesser but still undefined role in the Chinese hierarchy, sought improved ties with the US as a major achievement of his 13-year rule.
But concerns over North Korea loomed large over the meeting.
The administration believes economic pressure from a variety of countries is a possible key to easing the perceived dangers created by the North's nuclear activities. The US has been providing North Korea with more than 500,000 tons a year of heavy oil as part of an international energy assistance program. The administration has not said whether it will halt these shipments.
Washington has demanded an immediate and visible dismantling of the North's nuclear facilities, suggesting that it is not interested in bargaining with Pyongyang over the issue.
North Korea said early Friday that it wanted a "nonaggression treaty" with the United States, but warned it was entitled to possess nuclear weapons as long as it felt threatened by the US nuclear arsenal.
In response, White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said: "Our position with respect to disarmament of North Korea's weapons of mass destruction is clear."
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