Bush presses China about trade, human rights

“It is important that social, political and religious freedoms grow in China,” the president said at Hu’s side.

Later, Bush said pressing for religious freedom was a good way to ensure that other freedoms follow.

“They go hand in hand. A society which recognizes religious freedom is a society which will recognize political freedom as well,” he said. “President Hu is a thoughtful fellow, and he listened to what I had to say.”

Trade surplus on the agenda
China’s massive trade surplus is a political headache for Bush. As the president opened his visit, U.S. officials spread word that Beijing was buying 70 of Chicago-based Boeing Co.’s 737 planes.

The administration said the purchase was “a testament to how our approach to China is yielding real results.” But in a joint appearance with Hu, Bush said China needs to do more to provide fair opportunities for American farmers and businesses seeking access to China’s market. Later, Bush specifically cited a desire to sell U.S. beef in China.

He said China also needs to work harder to protect intellectual property rights. Piracy of U.S. movies, computer programs and other copyright material is rampant in China. Rice suggested that China is beginning to take the problem more seriously, and that Hu talked about specific steps to crack down on piracy.

Bush is pressing China for a faster revaluation of its currency, which U.S. companies contend is undervalued by as much as 40 percent. Undervaluation makes Chinese goods cheaper in the United States and American goods more expensive in China.

“We’ve seen some movement but not much in the currency valuation,” the president said.

Hu promised Bush that China will move to reduce its trade imbalance with the United States, but he did not discuss any specific steps.

He said China was willing to step up protection for intellectual property and would “unswervingly” press ahead with currency reform — where the United States says Beijing has not lived up to its promises.

Bird flu, N. Korea also addressed
The two leaders readily acknowledged differences but stressed cooperation in preventing and controlling bird flu and persuading North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

Bush noted that North Korea has committed in six-party talks to do just that. “The United States expects them to honor that commitment,” he said.

Bush said the U.S. relationship with China was important and “this trip will make it stronger.” He invited Hu to the United States next year, a makeup for a visit postponed last September because of Hurricane Katrina that Hu accepted.

The president’s visit wasn’t all serious. After the meetings with Hu and Premier Wen Jiabao, Bush went for a vigorous hour-long mountain bike ride with six young Chinese men and women vying for spots of their nation’s Olympic mountain biking team.

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