Apec leaders focus on terror

President Bush met China's Jiang Zemin for the first time

The Asia-Pacific summit is getting under way in Shanghai with attention focused on the US-led campaign to combat terrorism.

Leaders of 21 countries - including US President George Bush - are holding two days of talks, which will also cover efforts to revive ailing economies in the region.

A draft statement from the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation group (Apec) condemns the terror attacks on the United States. But it makes no comment on the strikes on Afghanistan, which are opposed by some Apec countries, correspondents say.

President Bush assured Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Saturday that the United States was trying to be "as careful as we possibly could" to avoid civilian casualties in Afghanistan.

"He is concerned about the deaths of innocent people in Afghanistan and I assured him I am, too," he added.

Meanwhile, the Apec summit was marred by Taiwan's decision to pull out, in a row with China over its level of representation.

Sino-US thaw

It is the first time Mr Bush has travelled overseas since the 11 September terrorist attacks.

On Friday, Mr Bush said the US and China had a "common understanding" of the threat posed by international terrorists.

The spy plane row heightened US-Chinese tension

He was speaking after talks with his Chinese counterpart, Jiang Zemin - their first such meeting.

Mr Bush said he was satisfied with the level of Chinese co-operation in the battle against Osama Bin Laden, the chief suspect in the attacks, and his al-Qaeda network.

The common fight against terrorism looks set to improve relations between the two countries, damaged by the Nato bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade two years ago, and by a row over a US spy plane earlier this year.

'No hesitation'

"There was no hesitation, there was no doubt they'd stand with our people during this terrible time," Mr Bush said.

Mr Jiang said China was willing to work to develop a "constructive relationship" with the United States.

"We have a common understanding of the magnitude of the threat posed by international terrorism," President Jiang said.

Apec members

Australia

Brunei

Canada

Chile

China

Hong Kong

Indonesia

Japan

Malaysia

Mexico

New Zealand

Papua New Guinea

Peru

Philippines

Russia

Singapore

South Korea

Taiwan

Thailand

United States

Vietnam

"We hope that anti-terrorism efforts can have clearly defined targets and also should hit accurately and also avoid innocent casualties."

China is worried about Islamic separatists in its far western provinces.

Ahead of the meeting, White House officials said China's co-operation against terrorism had been good. They cited Chinese support at the United Nations and its decision to close its border with Afghanistan.

A BBC correspondent in Shanghai says trade issues, human rights and America's persistent complaints about China's proliferation of weapons technology were also likely to have come up during the talks.

The US has said there will be no quid pro quo for China's continuing support in the war on terrorism.

But Washington's need for international backing clearly gives Beijing a better bargaining position.

Taiwan

Delegates from Taiwan left for home on Saturday, blaming China for not inviting Taipei's chosen nominee - former vice president Li Yuan-zu - to the meeting.

Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian voiced "profound disappointment and great rage" over China's "intentional discrimination" against Taiwan.

Apec summits are a regular source of friction between the two governments.

Taiwan, which China views as a renegade province, has taken part in previous meetings under the title Chinese Taipei, so as not to offend China's sensitivities about its claim of sovereignty over the island.

The Chinese foreign ministry said Taiwan had been cordially invited to the summit by China but had ignored specific Apec regulations on the level of its representation.