(China Daily)
Updated: 2007-09-01 09:13

U.S. President George W. Bush (R) announces that Dana Perino (L) will take over the post of White House Press Secretary from Tony Snow, in the press briefing room of the White House, August 31, 2007. White House Press Secretary Tony Snow gave his resignation to the president earlier in the day. [Reuters]

US President George W. Bush said on Thursday China's rapid economic growth has provided a "good opportunity" for the United States as well as other countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

"Is China an issue for the world? Absolutely. But I don't view it as a negative issue, I view it as an opportunity to work with one of the really significantly growing economies in the world," Bush said on the eve of his visit to Australia next week.

"I view that a growing middle class in China is good for US exporters; it provides opportunity," said the US president, who will attend the 15th economic leaders' informal meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, scheduled to be held in Sydney on September 8-9.