US President George W. Bush said he would pursue a constructive, co-operative relationship with China in what has been billed as his administration's first comprehensive explanation of its foreign policy.
In a report made public yesterday, Mr Bush said he welcomed the emergence of a 'strong, peaceful and prosperous China', while calling on Beijing to increase the pace of reform and pursue a more democratic system of government.
'China has begun to take the road to political openness, permitting many personal freedoms and conducting village-level elections, yet remains strongly committed to national one-party rule by the Communist Party,' he said.
'To make that nation truly accountable to its citizens' needs and aspirations, however, much work remains to be done. Only by allowing the Chinese people to think, assemble and worship freely can China reach its full potential.'
China figured prominently in the 33-page policy document titled The National Security Strategy of the United States, and Mr Bush acknowledged the mainland had emerged as a major player both in the region and internationally.
However, he had some criticisms about increased military spending and weapons proliferation.
'In pursuing advanced military capabilities that can threaten its neighbours in the Asia-Pacific region, China is following an outdated path that, in the end, will hamper its own pursuit of national greatness. In time, China will find that social and political freedom is the only source of that greatness,' he said.
