Clinton and Jiang Agree to Pacts, Differ on Rights

In a frank public clash over human rights, President Clinton told Chinese President Jiang Zemin on Wednesday that China’s behavior is on the “wrong side of history,” and Jiang responded that human rights and freedoms are “relative” terms.

The polite but pointed exchange at a news conference came after the two leaders met for more than 90 minutes and signed off on a series of agreements covering energy, trade, nuclear power, military communications at sea and high-level contacts between the two powers.

Those agreements individually were of modest significance but together represented a new level of cooperation between two nations thrust apart by China’s brutal 1989 crackdown against pro-democracy protesters in and around Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. Indeed, the summit signals the paradox of this new era of U.S.-China relations: Despite profound differences on human rights, the two nations are committed to finding common ground in other areas.

In his public comments, Clinton lauded progress between the two nations in technology trade, cooperation in fighting organized crime and drug trafficking, and in other areas as examples of common ground between the wary powers.

“But we also have fundamental differences, especially concerning human rights and religious freedom,” Clinton said. “I’m convinced the best way to address them is directly and personally as we did yesterday and today and as we will continue to do until this issue is no longer before us.”

Clinton said the United States “recognizes that on so many issues China is on the right side of history. And we welcome it. But on this issue, we believe the policy of the government is on the wrong side of history. There is, after all, now a Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”

Clinton added that he is pleased that Jiang plans to visit Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia today because such symbols of liberty “set forth the beliefs that define and inspire our nation to this very day.”

In the end, the leaders shook hands and smiled, then Clinton put his arm at Jiang’s back to escort him from the room. The Chinese leader said they were “old friends.”

The remarks came on a day of unusual ceremony and diplomacy, with the Chinese leader confronting questions that he no doubt has never faced publicly. Jiang, representing his nation on the first such visit to the United States in 12 years, maintained a tight smile but showed no intent of easing China’s hard-line policies.

Sounding at times conciliatory, at times almost defiant, Jiang said the two nations “share extensive common interests in important matters” such as peace, preventing weapons proliferation and protecting the environment. But in a pointed reference to differences over human rights and other issues, he added that “noninterference in each other’s internal affairs” remains a fundamental principle in the U.S.-Chinese relationship.

The 71-year-old leader went on to say that “the world we are living in is a rich and diverse one, and, therefore, the concepts on democracy, on human rights and on freedoms are relative and specific ones and they are to be determined by the specific national situation of different countries.”

The Chinese also sought to remind U.S. officials that they can be a valuable trading partner, confirming plans to spend $3 billion for 50 Boeing aircraft, China’s largest airplane order.

In a joint statement released Wednesday, officials of both countries said that, while the nations have areas of “agreement and disagreement,” they have a significant “common interest” in many areas. Among the areas of agreement, which White House officials said would lead to a more “stable, secure, open and prosperous world” in the 21st century:

* The two nations will establish regular presidential visits, including a trip to Beijing by Clinton sometime next year, and will set up a hotline to keep the lines of communication open in times of crisis.

* The Clinton administration, satisfied that Beijing has stopped exporting nuclear weapons technology to Iran and Pakistan, will allow U.S. firms to develop nuclear power plants in China.

* On the touchy matter of Taiwan, Chinese officials were especially pleased with Clinton’s affirmation of a “one-China” policy. “Ultimately, the relationship between [China] and Taiwan is for the Chinese themselves to determine peacefully,” Clinton said.

* China and the United States will enhance cooperation on development of clean energy sources, especially in trying to control urban air pollution in China and to extend electricity in rural areas. Although the agreement is broad and somewhat vague, U.S. officials believe that it could lead to billions of dollars in business for U.S. companies.

* The two nations will work together to bring the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which prohibits tests of nuclear bombs, into force at the earliest possible date. India and some other countries have resisted international pressure for the accord and are blocking it.

* Officials said they will take steps to try to avoid military miscalculation, especially involving naval forces, and will share information involving natural disasters with the aim of improving coordination of military responses to the crises.

Earlier in the day, Clinton formally welcomed Jiang to Washington with an elaborate ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House that featured military bands, honor guards and a 21-gun salute. Although the White House was ringed with unusually intense security, a loud demonstration took place on the other side of the mansion, across Pennsylvania Avenue in Lafayette Park.

Protesters who gathered near an 8-foot replica of the Goddess of Democracy--a symbol of the Tiananmen Square protests--jeered as echoes of the 21 cannon blasts rattled the park, where Buddhist monks in burgundy and saffron robes mingled with Chinese Americans, some wearing Clinton masks.

While the White House has taken pains to justify its policy of engaging China rather than confronting it on a range of differences, Jiang’s visit has sparked protest on a number of issues, including human rights, political expression, religious freedom, Chinese control of Tibet, child labor policies, Taiwan and other matters.

In his remarks, Jiang pledged that if past agreements are followed, relations between the U.S. and China “will make steady and sound progress,” according to the official Chinese translation.

Jiang, who practiced his limited English before his trip, then surprised those assembled by breaking into the language of his host nation: “Let us, the Chinese and Americans, join hands and, together with people around the world, work hard to bring about a new century of peace, stability and prosperity. Allow me to thank you, Mr. President, once again for your warm welcome.”

Clinton, who was struggling with a hoarse voice and the competing sound of jetliners overhead, spoke out for stronger ties between the two countries.

Although the formal welcome came Wednesday, Jiang actually arrived in Washington on Tuesday afternoon and visited with Clinton that evening. Clinton led his visitor on a tour of the White House’s second floor.

During the tour, Clinton offered observations on American history, a White House aide said, and at one point Jiang began to recite the Gettysburg Address. The leaders then sat down for about an hour and 45 minutes, devoting most of that time to human rights--”every conceivable aspect of it,” Clinton said later--including the situation in Tibet and religious freedom.

After Wednesday morning’s welcoming ceremony, the leaders met in the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room of the White House.

During the meetings, Chinese officials said they would sign an international technology agreement to eliminate tariffs on information technology and semiconductors.

Clinton also said he would allow the U.S. nuclear power industry to try to sell billions of dollars worth of technology to China, which suffers pollution problems because of its reliance on coal for fuel.

In addition, the leaders agreed that Washington will station Drug Enforcement Administration officers in the U.S. Embassy in Beijing to work with Chinese police.

During a joint news conference, Clinton set forth the U.S. view on human rights, even as he sought to explain why the differences should not prevent other areas of progress between the two nations.

Later, when asked about China’s refusal to release certain political dissidents, Clinton spoke more sharply, noting that “we have profound disagreements” on human rights. He added: “You shouldn’t in any way minimize the steep differences that still remain between us over that issue.”

Times staff writers Jim Mann, Tyler Marshall and Stanley Meisler contributed to this report.