Contender Bush urges tougher line on China

American Republican Party presidential hopeful George W. Bush yesterday described China as a 'strategic competitor' as conservative political rivals demanded a far tougher line on Sino-US relations.

In one of his strongest statements on China policy should he win the Republican nomination, the Texas Governor described President Bill Clinton's attempt at a meaningful partnership with Beijing as a mistake.

'The President has sent a bad message in saying they are strategic partners,' Mr Bush said in a CNN interview televised nationwide ahead of his victory in the symbolic Iowa straw poll among Republican hopefuls for next year's election.

'I think he sent bad signals to China that says: 'Well, if you decide to move aggressively against Taiwan, we won't act, necessarily.' They are a strategic competitor . . . we need to be tough and firm.' Mr Bush attempted to skirt questions of whether the United States should commit troops to defend Taiwan, saying only that Washington must adhere to the 'spirit' of the Taiwan Relations Act.

Another hopeful, Elizabeth Dole, said she would use US forces if necessary to defend Taiwan from a Chinese military attack.

'President Dole would do so,' she said when asked if she would deploy the US military to defend Taiwan.