U.S. AND CHINA: UPS AND DOWNS

TIME: What will China be like in 10 years? Will there be more democracy?

Jiang: Since 1979 we have been trying to ensure that political restructuring and economic restructuring complement each other. Simply put, what we have to do is promote democracy and improve our legal system. Within the structure provided by the Chinese constitution, we will work to develop our democracy further and to strengthen supervision. Our purpose is to run our country according to law.

TIME: Americans care a lot about human rights. Can you explain why it is so difficult to release political dissidents like Wei Jingsheng and Wang Dan? How serious a threat are they to your government?

Jiang: I believe the most important, the most fundamental human right is how to ensure that the 1.2 billion Chinese people have adequate food and clothing. The rights and freedoms that our people enjoy today are unprecedented. Our consistent policy is to protect human rights according to law. Human rights and the system for the protection of human rights in China are advancing. These are the facts for everyone to see.

As for the two persons you just referred to, I don't believe they pose much of a threat to China's security and stability. They were brought to justice not because they are so-called political dissidents but because they violated China's criminal law. Decisions on when prisoners in China's jails are released are matters for the judicial department to settle according to the law.

TIME: Should you make some gesture on human rights, which would smooth discussions across the whole breadth of U.S.-China issues?

Jiang: I would like to know what you refer to specifically as a gesture. We have made it clear that we respect human rights. I studied world history and your War of Independence. I read Lincoln's Gettysburg Address about your Civil War. It was the sacred mission of the U.S. to liberate slaves in your country. In Tibet, after the Dalai Lama left the country [in 1950], we have fundamentally resolved the problem of slavery there. I believe the American people should be happy to see that.

TIME: Is there anything you can do to help resolve your political differences with Taiwan?

Jiang: As a first step, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait can hold negotiations and reach agreement officially ending their state of hostility, in accordance with the principle that there is only one China. We hope the Taiwan authorities will respond to our proposals seriously and enter into political talks at an early date. Under the one-China premise, anything can be discussed.

TIME: What are your expectations for your trip to the U.S.?

Jiang: The China-U.S. relationship over the past few years can be characterized like the weather: it has its ups and downs. I think that, on the whole, relations are moving forward. But it is no easy task for the people of our two countries to really understand each other. If, through face-to-face meetings, our nations can deepen understanding, that will be a very important achievement.

At present, Sino-American relations have a favorable opportunity for further improvement. Whether we can build a sound and stable relationship in the 21st century bears on the world's peace, stability and prosperity. Our two countries share that common responsibility.

TIME: But how do you see the U.S.? What's good about it, what's bad?

Jiang: The U.S. is not a country in decline, and I do not think that China and the U.S. must come into conflict with one another. The economy and trade of our two countries are highly complementary. We can and should have long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation.

TIME: Many observers were surprised by the boldness of your economic initiatives at the recent Party Congress. Do you see any risks in these reforms?

Jiang: The most important thing is that we will continue to adhere to the Deng Xiaoping theory and implement the policy of reform and opening up. I would like to know specifically what you mean when you mention risks.

TIME: We were referring to the reform of bankrupt state enterprises and the fate of their workers.

Jiang: Our reform effort is to establish a modern system to reinvigorate our enterprises and let them better play a dominant role in the national economy. With reform, socialism will become even stronger. Our objective is to help the majority of large and medium-size state-owned enterprises that are running at a loss to get rid of their problems. In the process, we will meet with various contradictions and difficulties, but we have adopted an incremental approach. We also have established some support mechanisms, including a social-security program. We enjoy the support of the vast workforce.

TIME: One of the biggest threats to economic progress is rampant corruption. To what extent are you prepared to crack down, especially at high levels?

Jiang: We are firm and resolute in combatting corruption. Those who abuse their power and position will be dealt with seriously, according to party rules and the laws of the country. I do not deny that fighting corruption is a very arduous and complicated task. But we are working to implement our laws, educate our people and build our legal system. The most fundamental thing is to promote democracy so that the people can supervise the work of the officials.

TIME: Many Chinese also dislike the behavior of the children of top officials. Do you have rules about what your own children and grandchildren may and may not do?

Jiang: I have two grown children. One son has a Ph.D. and a postdoctorate degree, and he is now doing research work at an institute in Shanghai. Another son studied in Germany, and is working in the field of computers. I take great satisfaction that both of them behave very well and both have come back to work here in China. My grandchildren are now in primary school, and one thing that I frequently warn myself is that I should not indulge them too much.

TIME: How were you able to keep up your interest in music during the past political campaigns, when classic Chinese arts were condemned as feudal and Western arts were condemned as bourgeois?

Jiang: Fine Chinese and foreign cultural and artistic work are the shared wealth of all mankind. The absurd activities that downgraded and even destroyed fine culture and art are all erroneous. I am the President of the People's Republic of China, but I am also an ordinary citizen, and I have my own interests and hobbies. For instance, I read Tang dynasty poems, Song dynasty lyrics and Yuan dynasty verses, and some of Dante, Shakespeare, Balzac, Tolstoy and Mark Twain. All of these give me great enjoyment. I also like to listen to Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss, Tchaikovsky. And I listen to some of your famous American pieces. At the beginning of this year I read a book written by a Chinese on Mozart that related his music to the poetry of Du Mu in the Tang dynasty. I believe all fields of art are linked with one another.

TIME: How can you sleep at night knowing that you have responsibility for 1.2 billion people?

Jiang: Some nights I cannot get to sleep--for instance, when natural disasters occur. Despite modern science and technology in agriculture, we still mainly depend on how the weather goes. I owe a lot of special thanks to my wife. She tends to persuade me that, after all, I have to eat and try to get some sleep because the next day I have to continue working.

In the past few years the Chinese people have scored very exciting achievements. But there are still brain-breaking questions and problems for us. It's hard for me to tell what's the biggest challenge. I am an optimist and also a realist. I am very confident about the future.