BEIJING (Reuters) - President Bush will attend an October summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in Shanghai despite the catastrophic terror attacks on the United States, a top Chinese official said on Thursday.
Bush told Chinese President Jiang Zemin in a telephone conversation on Wednesday night he would attend the meeting, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya told a news conference. (Read photo caption below)
``After the conversation between the Chinese and U.S. presidents after the attack, President Bush has confirmed that he will attend as planned the October event, the APEC informal meeting in Shanghai,'' said Wang.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit is scheduled to feature the first meeting between Jiang and Bush. Nineteen other leaders from around the region are due to attend.
Wang gave assurances of tight security at the event.
APEC organizers said on Wednesday they had not been informed of any changes in the schedule.
APEC groups Australia, Brunei, Canada, China, Chile, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Chinese President Jiang Zemin (L) and visiting U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill pose for a photo at Zhongnanhai, September 10, 2001 in Beijing. O'Neill is on a brief visit to Beijing after attending the APEC forum in Suzhou. REUTERS/Pool/Frederic J. Brown