HONOLULU -- China seems very pleased with the outcome of the George W. Bush-Jiang Zemin presidential summit held Oct. 19 in Shanghai on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' meeting -- not because a great deal was accomplished, but because Jiang's definition of what constituted a "successful" meeting was extremely modest.
All Beijing apparently sought was a photo opportunity and a new slogan. Success was achieved on both accounts, with the Chinese press touting the willingness by both sides to seek a new "constructive relationship of cooperation."
Both Washington and Beijing were eager to show that relations were on a positive trajectory after the setback brought about by the April 1 collision between a Chinese fighter jet and American reconnaissance plane and a variety of other contentious issues, including continuing American arms sales to Taiwan.