Bush arrives in China for APEC amid extradinary security
Bush arrives in China for APEC amid extradinary security
Agencies, Shanghai
Amid extraordinary security, U.S. President George W. Bush arrived in Shanghai on Thursday on his first overseas trip since the attacks on America to shore up support for his war against terrorism at an Asia Pacific summit.
The broad avenues of China's glittering financial capital were mostly clear of cars and pedestrians, and armed troops in camouflage guarded roads into the city as Air Force One landed.
Bush is using his first official trip to China to gather support for his war against terrorism in a region that includes staunch backers such as Australia, which has offered troops and aircraft for the war in Afghanistan, and more wary nations such as predominantly Muslim Indonesia and Malaysia.
In the run-up to the meeting of the 21-member Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, China took the draconian step of denying visas to visitors from a host of Middle Eastern countries.
Some 10,000 police have been mobilized in Shanghai and sniffer dogs have been patrolling for bombs and explosives. State television said China had stepped up checks for anthrax in mail sorting rooms and at border crossings.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Thursday he is pleased by what he called a resounding signal from Pacific rim countries of their readiness to combat international terrorism.
Powell spoke after he and other delegates to the forum prepared a draft statement on terrorism in advance of the annual APEC summit meeting. Once final agreement on the wording is reached, the document will be issued as a formal APEC summit statement.
Powell, speaking to a gathering of American business leaders, expressed strong satisfaction with the draft even though it made no direct reference to the U.S.-led attacks on Afghanistan.
Alluding to the debate over the statement, Powell said, "We got a resounding signal of support from all members present. And President Bush will get the same signal when he meets with those leaders over the weekend."
The absence in the draft of any reference to the 11-day-old bombing campaign in Afghanistan reflected the influence of Indonesia and Malaysia, both predominantly Muslim members of APEC, delegates said.
Asked at a news conference about the lack of support for the bombing campaign, Powell said of the earlier discussions: "I cannot say that concerns were expressed, just the hope that it (the campaign) will be concluded soon."
But Malaysian Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz said her government was concerned about the loss of civilian life in Afghanistan. She called for the convening of an international conference that would make recommendations on ways to end international terrorism.
With strong backing from the United States, APEC foreign ministers agreed to hold a special session on terrorism ahead of the summit.
Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, speaking to reporters about the deliberations, said the ministers agreed that the struggle against terrorism "is a fight between justice and evil, civilization and savagery." The draft also alludes to the "murderous deeds" of the perpetrators of the Sept. 11 attacks in New York and Washington.
Powell's comments before the business group and at a later news conference with fellow delegates suggested he is optimistic about Sino-American relations.
Tang also sounded an optimistic note, saying the relationship is making headway. China, he added, is ready to expand cooperation further.
Bush is due to hold his first ever meeting with Chinese President Jiang Zemin on Friday ahead of a weekend summit of leaders and a blitz of other bilateral sessions. China has strongly condemned the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington, which killed more than 5,400 people.