Bush to visit China November 19-21 (Reuters) Updated: 2005-11-03 20:46
U.S. President George W. Bush will make a formal visit
to China from November 19-21, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday,
amid simmering U.S. concern over China's growing economic and military clout.
U.S. President
George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush wave upon arriving at the airport
for the Summit of the Americas in Mar del Plata, Argentina, November 3,
2005. [AP] |
Bush will also fly to South Korea, Japan and Mongolia.
Senior U.S. officials have expressed concern about China's drive to lock up
oil and raw material supplies from around the world, including from countries,
like Iran, with which the United States is in conflict.
Booming China is the world's third-largest importer of oil.
Bush, who previously visited Beijing in 2001 and 2002, is going to China at
the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, who has worked with the United
States, South Korea, Japan and Russia to persuade North Korea to halt its
nuclear weapons programs.
"Generally in this kind of important meeting, the two leaders will exchange
in-depth views on bilateral relations and major international and regional
issues," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan told a regular news
briefing in Beijing.
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