Bush praises Jiang for his backing of America's global campaign at leaders' first meeting

US President George W. Bush yesterday praised his Chinese counterpart Jiang Zemin for standing 'side by side' with America in its war on terrorism.

In the two leaders' first meeting, Mr Jiang said they had reached a consensus on terrorism but warned that US attacks on Afghanistan must not lead to unnecessary civilian casualties.

Mr Bush in turn warned Beijing not to use the war against terrorism as an excuse to persecute minorities, apparently referring to separatist movements in Xinjiang and Tibet.

Speaking at a joint press conference at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) summit in Shanghai, Mr Bush said: 'There is a firm commitment by [the Chinese] Government to co-operate on intelligence matters, to help interdict financing of terrorist organisations. President Jiang and the Government stand side by side with the American people as we fight this evil force.'

Diplomats were yesterday busy drawing up a special declaration condemning terrorism and detailing measures that Apec economies could take to fight against it.

The war on terrorism has forced America to test the strength of its ties with many countries in the region, with Mr Bush now keen to engage China after a rocky period for Sino-US ties culminating in the spy-plane crisis in April.