Bush 'will still visit' China

Bouquets have been left outside the US Embassy in Beijing

By CNN's Jaime Florcruz

BEIJING, China -- China's officialdom is never known for giving prompt public reaction to breaking news. This week has been a rare exception.

About four hours after terrorists attacked New York and Washington on Tuesday, President Jiang Zemin sent a message to President George W. Bush expressing sympathy and professing opposition to all forms of terrorism.

A day later, in a phone call with Bush, Jiang again offered help for rescue efforts and stronger cooperation against terrorism. Jiang reportedly told Bush that China strongly condemned the attacks, which "not only brought about a disaster to the U.S. people but also a challenge to the world".

Jiang also said China was "ready to strengthen dialogue and cooperation" with the U.S. and the international community against "all manner of terrorist violence."

Jiang's gesture is noteworthy. Less than six months ago, Beijing was demanding an apology from the Americans over the mid-air collision of a U.S. spy plane and a Chinese fighter plane.

Finger-pointing over the downing of the EP-3 plane, detention of its American crew, and the disappearance of a PLA fighter pilot, dragged Sino-U.S. relations to a new low.

The perceived American arrogance angered many Chinese who were still simmering over the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade by US-led NATO forces in 1999.

Chinese officials now have compelling reasons to worry about terrorist threats. They are preparing to host the APEC's annual summit meeting, scheduled for October 20-21 in Shanghai. With several heads of state, including Bush, expected to attend, security is a top priority.

A top Chinese official told Reuters news agency on Thursday that Bush will still attend the summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in Shanghai despite the catastrophic terror attacks on the United States.

Military strike dilemma

Meanwhile, Beijing faces a quandary. Will it support any U.S. military action in retaliation for the attacks? Chinese officials Thursday did not rule out condoning any punitive action, but disagreed that NATO was the appropriate institution to carry it out.

Beijing's help would depend what kind of action was planned, said Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya. "We will study the case when evidence is being presented. Our attitude towards international cooperation against terrorism is positive. It all depends on the final formula."

Wang said China would prefer that anti-terrorist measures be taken within a framework broader than NATO. "Any action taken will have its implications for other regions, so it's better that consultation be conducted," he added.

"NATO is a regional military organization within Europe, so if action is taken beyond Europe, it will have implications. That's why I think consultation is needed."

Wang's stance is not new. Beijing has always opposed unilateralism and insists that global issues like terrorism should be taken up in a multilateral forum like the U.N., not in regional alliances like the NATO.

After all, the last time NATO tried to resolve the Kosovo issue by military means, China ended up on the receiving end.