Bush asks China to "influence" Myanmar
DPA / September 28, 2007

US President George Bush held an apparently unscheduled meeting Thursday with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and called on China to encourage Myanmar's military regime to peacefully transition to democracy.

Yang was at the White House Thursday to meet with Steve Hadley, Bush's national security advisor.

"President Bush invited Minister Yang to the Oval Office for a brief meeting," said Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the National Security Council.

"President Bush thanked Minister Yang for China's assistance in facilitating United Nations Special Envoy Gambari's visit to Burma. President Bush expressed his concern for the people of Burma and asked Minister Yang that China use its influence in the region to help bring a peaceful transition to democracy in Burma."