BBC News Online: World: Asia-Pacific

Bush 'will visit China'

President Bush at the devastated Pentagon on Wednesday

A senior Chinese official says President Bush has told the Chinese President, Jiang Zemin, that he will travel to China next month despite Tuesday's attacks in New York and Washington.

The Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister, Wang Guangya, said Mr Bush had confirmed he would take part in a meeting in Shanghai of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) group.

Mr Bush would also visit Beijing to meet President Jiang as planned, Mr Wang said.

It will be the first meeting between the two men.

The Apec meeting is expected to bring together many of the leaders of the group's 21 member nations.

Mr Wang said security in Shanghai would be tight.

"China is a very safe country and Shanghai is a very safe city," he said.

Security measures

Security measures in Shanghai are expected to include a virtual shutdown of the city with a possible week-long holiday to reduce congestion.

The financial district, where the meetings are scheduled to take place, is expected to be cut off, with roads and access tunnels closed.

Similar measures were taken during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin in June.