Bush accepts Chinese president's invitation to attend Beijing Olympics

Last update: September 6, 2007 - 10:25 PM

President Bush said Thursday that he has accepted an invitation from Chinese President Hu Jintao to attend the 2008 summer Olympics in Beijing, a move that is likely to inflame China critics, who are calling for a boycott of the games to protest human rights abuses in that country.

Hu extended the invitation -- repeating a previous offer -- during a 90-minute private session with Bush in Sydney, Australia, on the eve of an economic summit of Asian nations.

"Of course, I was anxious to accept," said Bush, who would attend as a sports fan and not to make any political statement. Michael Green, former Asia director at the National Security Council under Bush, said, "For the Chinese, that's a public vote of confidence."

Here's a look at some of the other topics they discussed.

Climate change: Bush is trying to prod China into joining an effort to set long-range targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and is proposing to eliminate tariffs on clean-energy technologies, said Dan Price, an adviser on the National Security Council. Hu suggested the United Nations should be the one to spearhead climate control efforts. The subject will be a major agenda item this weekend's discussions at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

Product safety: Hu brought up the issue of product safety, saying "the Chinese government took this problem very seriously," Price said. Hu also defended the safety and quality of China's exports, but said China is willing to work with the international community on inspections.

Hotline: Hu and Bush agreed to create a hotline that will link the two countries' militaries. Details still need to be worked out.

More online: To follow developments at the APEC summit, go to apec2007.org.

NEW YORK TIMES, AP