Bush to visit China November 19-21
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-11-03 20:46

U.S. President George W. Bush will make a formal visit to China from November 19-21, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday, amid simmering U.S. concern over China's growing economic and military clout.

U.S. President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush wave upon arriving at the airport for the Summit of the Americas in Mar del Plata, Argentina, November 3, 2005. [AP]

Bush will also fly to South Korea, Japan and Mongolia.

Senior U.S. officials have expressed concern about China's drive to lock up oil and raw material supplies from around the world, including from countries, like Iran, with which the United States is in conflict.

Booming China is the world's third-largest importer of oil.

Bush, who previously visited Beijing in 2001 and 2002, is going to China at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, who has worked with the United States, South Korea, Japan and Russia to persuade North Korea to halt its nuclear weapons programs.

"Generally in this kind of important meeting, the two leaders will exchange in-depth views on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan told a regular news briefing in Beijing.