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| Sunday, 17 November 2002 |
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US congratulates Hu Jintao on Communist Party elevation WASHINGTON - The United States on Friday offered congratulations after Hu Jintao replaced President Jiang Zemin as chief of China's Communist Party, in a cordial first message to Beijing's new leaders. Washington has been closely anticipating the changing of the old guard at China's 16th Party Congress, and assessing how the "fourth generation" of leaders in Beijing will deal with crucial China-US relations. "We look forward to working with the new team. We congratulate the new general secretary," said Scott McClellan, spokesman for US President George W. Bush. "We will continue to work closely with Chinese leaders on a variety of issues as part of our important relationship with China, including human rights, religious freedoms and economic ties," said McClellan. McClellan noted that Vice President Dick Cheney would travel to China in early 2003 as part of the ongoing high-level dialogue between Washington and Beijing. Bush came to power vowing to take a tough line with Beijing's communists, and the relationship tipped into crisis early last year when a US spy plane and a Chinese jet collided off China's coast, sparking a diplomatic crisis. But since the September 11 attacks, antagonism has cooled, as both sides seek ways in the changed geopolitical climate in which they can work together. Jiang retired as Communist Party chief on Friday, clearing the way for Hu, who is also expected to assume Jiang's other senior posts in Beijing next year. Vice President Hu introduced himself to US leaders during a successful but low profile visit to the United States in April and May, which included White House talks and a keynote address to influential business leaders deeply involved in China's economic transformation. Bush bade a formal farewell to Jiang at a summit at his Crawford, Texas ranch last month, although the outgoing Communist Party chief is expected to continue to wield considerable influence behind the scenes in China. |
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