總統(tǒng)布什在清華的演講

總統(tǒng)布什在清華的演講

State, Colin Powell.　It's good to see you, Mr. Secretary.　(Applause.)　And

　　I see my National Security Advisor, Ms. Condoleezza Rice, who at one time

　　was the provost at Stanford University.　So she's comfortable on university 

　　campuses such as this.　Thank you for being here, Condi.　(Applause.)

　　I'm so grateful for the hospitality, and honored for the　reception at one

　　of China's, and the world's, great universities.

　　This university was founded, interestingly enough, with the support of my

　　country, to further ties between our two nations.　I know how important this

　　place is to your Vice President.　He not only received his degree here, but

　　more importantly, he met his gracious wife here.　(Laughter.)

　　I want to thank the students for giving me the chance to meet with you, the

　　chance to talk a little bit about my country and answer some of your

　　questions.

　　The standards and reputation of this university are known around the world,

　　and I know what an achievement it is to be here.　So, congratulations.

　　(Applause.)　I don't know if you know this or not, but my wife and I have

　　two daughters who are in college, just like you.　One goes to the University

　　of Texas.　One goes to Yale.　They're twins.　And we are proud of our

　　daughters, just like I'm sure your parents are proud of you.

　　My visit to China comes on an important anniversary, as the Vice President

　　mentioned.　Thirty years ago this week, an American President arrived in

　　China on a trip designed to end decades of estrangement and confront

　　centuries of suspicion.　President Richard Nixon showed the world that two

　　vastly different governments could meet on the grounds of common interest,

　　in the spirit of mutual respect.　As they left the airport that day, Premier

　　Zhou Enlai said this

　　to President Nixon:　"Your handshake came over the vastest ocean in the

　　world

　　-- 25 years of no communication."

　　During the 30 years since, America and China have exchanged many handshakes

　　of friendship and commerce.　And as we have had more contact with each

　　other, the citizens of both countries have gradually learned more about each

　　other. And that's important.　Once America knew China only by its history as

　　a great and enduring civilization.　Today, we see a China that is still

　　defined by noble

　　traditions of family, scholarship, and honor.　And we see a China that is

　　becoming one of the most dynamic and creative societies in the world -- as

　　demonstrated by the knowledge and potential right here in this room.　China

　　is on a rising path, and America welcomes the emergence of a strong and

　　peaceful and prosperous China.　(Applause.)

　　As America learns more about China, I am concerned that the Chinese people

　　do not always see a clear picture of my country.　This happens for many

　　reasons,

　　and some of them of our own making.　Our movies and television shows often

　　do not portray the values of the real America I know.　Our successful

　　businesses show a strength of American commerce, but our spirit, community

　　spirit, and contributions to each other are not always visible as monetary

　　success.

　　Some of the erroneous pictures of America are painted by others.　My friend,

　　the Ambassador to China, tells me some Chinese textbooks talk of Americans

　　of "bullying the weak and repressing the poor."　Another Chinese textbook,

　　published just last year, teaches that special agents of the FBI are used to

　　"repress the working people."　Now, neither of these is true -- and while

　　the words may be leftovers from a previous era, they are misleading and

　　they're harmful.

　　In fact, Americans feel a special responsibility for the weak and the poor.

　　Our government spends billions of dollars to provide health care and food

　　and housing for those who cannot help themselves -- and even more important,

　　many of

　　our citizens contribute their own money and time to help those in need.

　　American compassion also stretches way beyond our borders.　We're the number

　　one

　　provider of humanitarian aid to people in need throughout the world.　And as

　　for the men and women of the FBI and law enforcement, they're working

　　people; they, themselves, are working people who devote their lives to

　　fighting crime and corruption.

　　My country certainly has its share of problems, no question about that. And

　　we have our faults.　Like most nations we're on a long journey toward

　　achieving our own ideals of equality and justice.　Yet there's a reason our

　　nation shines as a beacon of hope and opportunity, a reason many throughout

　　the world dream of coming to America.　It's because we're a free nation,

　　where men and women have the opportunity to achieve their dreams.　No matter

　　your background or your circumstance of birth, in America you can get a good

　　education, you can start your own business, you can raise a family, you can

　　worship freely, and help elect the leaders of your community and your

　　country. You can support the policies of our government, or you're free to

　　openly disagree with them.　Those who fear freedom sometimes argue it could

　　lead to chaos, but it does not, because freedom means more than every man

　　for himself.

　　Liberty gives our citizens many rights, yet expects them to exercise

　　important responsibilities.　Our liberty is given direction and purpose by

　　moral

　　character, shaped in strong families, strong communities, and strong

　　religious institutions, and overseen by a strong and fair legal system.

　　My country's greatest symbol to the world is the Statue of Liberty, and it

　　was designed by special care.　I don't know if you've ever seen the Statue

　　of Liberty, but if you look closely, she's holding not one object, but two.

　　In one

　　hand is the familiar torch we call the "light of liberty."　And in the other

　　hand is a book of law.

　　We're a nation of laws.　Our courts are honest and they are independent. The

　　President -- me -- I can't tell the courts how to rule, and neither can any

　　other member of the executive or legislative branch of government.　Under

　　our law, everyone stands equal.　No one is above the law, and no one is

　　beneath it.

　　All political power in America is limited and it is temporary, and only

　　given by the free vote of the people.　We have a Constitution, now two

　　centuries

　　old, which limits and balances the power of the three branches of our

　　government, the judicial branch, the legislative branch, and the executive

　　branch, of which I'm a part.

　　Many of the values that guide our life in America are first shaped in our

　　families, just as they are in your country.　American moms and dads love

　　their children and work hard and sacrifice for them, because we believe life

　　can always be better for the next generation.　In our families, we find love

　　and learn responsibility and character.

　　And many Americans voluntarily devote part of their lives to serving other

　　people.　An amazing number -- nearly half of all adults in America --

　　volunteer time every week to make their communities better by mentoring

　　children, or by visiting the sick, or caring for the elderly, or helping

　　with thousands of other

　　needs and causes.　This is one of the great strengths of my country.　People

　　take responsibility for helping others, without being told, motivated by

　　their good hearts and often by their faith.

　　America is a nation guided by faith.　Someone once called us "a nation with

　　the soul of a church."　This may interest you -- 95 percent of Americans say

　　they believe in God, and I'm one of them.

　　When I met President Jiang Zemin in Shanghai a few months ago, I had the

　　honor of sharing with him how faith changed my life and how faith

　　contributes to

　　the life of my country.　Faith points to a moral law beyond man's law, and

　　calls us to duties higher than material gain.　Freedom of religion is not

　　something to be feared, it's to be welcomed, because faith gives us a moral

　　core

　　and teaches us to hold ourselves to high standards, to love and to serve

　　others, and to live responsible lives.

　　If you travel across America -- and I hope you do some day if you haven't

　　been there -- you will find people of many different ethic backgrounds and

　　many different faiths.　We're a varied nation.　We're home to 2.3 million

　　Americans of Chinese ancestry, who can be found working in the offices of

　　our corporations, or in the Cabinet of the President of the United States,

　　or skating for the America Olympic team.　Every immigrant, by taking an oath

　　of allegiance to our country, becomes just as just as American as the

　　President. America shows that a society can be vast and it can be varied,

　　yet still one country, commanding the allegiance and love of its people.

　　And all these qualities of America were widely on display on a single day,

　　September the 11th, the day when terrorists, murderers, attacked my nation.

　　American policemen and firefighters, by the hundreds, ran into burning

　　towers in

　　desperation to save their fellow citizens.　Volunteers came from everywhere

　　to help with rescue efforts.　Americans donated blood and gave money to help

　　the families of victims.　America had prayer services all over our country,

　　and people raised flags to show their pride and unity.　And you need to

　　know, none of this was ordered by the government; it happened spontaneously,

　　by the initiative of free people.

　　Life in America shows that liberty, paired with law is not to be feared. In

　　a free society, diversity is not disorder.　Debate is not strife.　And

　　dissent is not revolution.　A free society trusts its citizens to seek

　　greatness

　　in themselves and their country.

　　It was my honor to visit China in 1975 -- some of you weren't even born

　　then.　It shows how old I am.　(Laughter.)　And a lot has changed in your

　　country since then.　China has made amazing progress -- in openness and

　　enterprise and economic freedom.　And this progress previews China'a great

　　potential.

　　China has joined the World Trade Organization, and as you live up to its

　　obligations, they inevitably will bring changes to China's legal system.　A

　　modern China will have a consistent rule of law to govern commerce and

　　secure the rights of its people.　The new China your generation is building

　　will need the profound wisdom of your traditions.　The lure of materialism

　　challenges our society -- challenges society in our country, and in many

　　successful countries.

　　Your ancient ethic of personal and family responsibility will serve you

　　well.

　　Behind China's economic success today are talented, brilliant and energetic

　　people.　In the near future, those same men and women will play a full and

　　active role in your government.　This university is not simply turning out

　　specialists, it is preparing citizens.　And citizens are not spectators in

　　the affairs of their country.　They are participants in its future.

　　Change is coming.　China is already having secret ballot and competitive

　　elections at the local level.　Nearly 20 years ago,　a great Chinese leader,

　　Deng Xiaoping, said this -- I want you to hear his words.　He said that

　　China would eventually expand democratic elections all the way to the

　　national level.

　　I look forward to that day.

　　Tens of millions of Chinese today are relearning Buddhist, Taoist, and local

　　religious traditions, or practicing Christianity, Islam, and other faiths.

　　Regardless of where or how these believers worship, they're no threat to

　　public order; in fact, they make good citizens.　For centuries, this country

　　has

　　had a tradition of religious tolerance.　My prayer is that all persecution

　　will

　　end, so that all in China are free to gather and worship as they wish.

　　All these changes will lead to a stronger, more confident China -- a China

　　that can astonish and enrich the world, a China that your generation will

　　help create.　This is one of the most exciting times in the history of your

　　country, a time when even the grandest hopes seem within your reach.

　　My nation offers you our respect and our friendship.　Six years from now,

　　athletes from America and around the world will come to your country for the

　　Olympic games.　And I'm confident they will find a China that is becoming a

　　da guo, a leading nation, at peace with its people and at peace with the

　　world.

　　Thank you for letting me come.　(Applause.)

　　Q　　Mr. President, yesterday I watched the press conference made by you and

　　President Jiang Zemin.　At the conference, you didn't clearly answer a

　　question, which is a concern by almost everybody.　It's why the TMD system

　　will cover Taiwan.　And what's more, whenever you talk about the Taiwan

　　issue, you always use a phrase just like, peaceful settlement.　You never

　　use the phrase, peaceful reunification.　What's the difference and why?

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　Thank you, very good question.　(Applause.)　First of all,

　　I want to compliment you on your English.　Very good.

　　The first thing that is important on the Taiwan issue is that my government

　　hopes there is a peaceful, as I said, dialogue, that there is a settlement

　　to this issue.　But it must be done in a peaceful way.　That's why I keep

　　emphasizing peaceful.　And, by the way, "peaceful" is a word intended for

　　both parties, that neither party should provoke that -- go ahead, I'm sorry.

　　THE INTERPRETER:　First of all -- sorry.

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　She's correcting my English.　(Laughter.)

　　THE INTERPRETER:　I'm sorry, Mr. President.　(Continues in Chinese.)

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　We've had many discussions with your leaders, and I've

　　reiterated support for the one China policy.　It's been my government's

　　policy for a long period of time, and I haven't changed it.　(Applause.)

　　I also, in your question about missile defenses, have made it clear that our

　　nation will develop defenses to help our friends, our allies, and others

　　around the world protect ourselves from rogue nations that have the -- that

　　are trying to develop weapons of mass destruction.　To me, that is essential

　　for peace in the world.　We have yet to develop a system, and therefore,

　　that's exactly what I said yesterday.　And it's the truth.　But we're in the

　　process of

　　seeing if we can't develop a system.　And I think it will bring more

　　stability to the world than less.

　　And let me just say one general comment that's very important for you to

　　know.　And it's also important for the people of my country to know -- that

　　my administration is committed to peacefully resolving issues around the

　　world.　We

　　want the issues resolved in a peaceful manner.

　　And we've got a lot of issues that we deal with.　We're dealing in the

　　Middle East.　And if you follow the news, it's a very dangerous period of

　　time there.　We're working hard to bring peaceful resolution there.　We're

　　working hard to bring a peaceful resolution to Kashmir, which is important

　　for China. And I recently went to Korea and I made it very clear that we

　　want to resolve the issues on the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful way.

　　Another question, please?

　　Q　　I'll repeat my question in English.

　　THE PRESIDENT:　Thank you.

　　Q　　It's a pity you still haven't given us -- sorry -- give us a clear

　　question about whether you always use the peaceful settlement.　You have

　　never said "peaceful reunification."　It's a pity.

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　We're back on Taiwan again -- (laughter) -- go ahead.

　　Q　　This is a question our Chinese people are extremely concerned about.

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　Yes, I know.

　　Q　　Three days ago, during your speech in the Japanese Parliament, you

　　said, the United States will still remember its commitment to Taiwan.

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　Right.

　　Q　　But my question is, does the U.S. still remember its commitment to 1.3

　　billion Chinese people?　(Applause.)　Abiding by the three Joint Communiques

　　and three notes.　Thank you.

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　Thank you very much.　As I said, this seems to be a topic

　　on people's mind, obviously.　I can't say it any more clearly, that I am

　　anxious

　　that there be a peaceful resolution that's going to require both parties to

　　come to a solution.　And that's what I mean by peaceful dialogue.　And I

　　hope it

　　happens in my lifetime and I hope it happens in yours.　It will make a -- it

　　will be an important milestone.

　　And, secondly, when my country makes an agreement, we stick with it.　And

　　there is called the Taiwan Relations Act, and I honor that act, which says

　　we will help Taiwan defend herself if provoked.　But we've also sent the

　　same message that there should be no provocation by either party for a

　　peaceful dialogue.

　　Next question.　Yes, ma'am.　That's not a ma'am; that's a male.　Sorry.

　　Actually, I said, yes, ma'am, but --

　　Q　　Now, please let me repeat my question in English.　Mr. President, I'm a

　　student coming from the School of Economics and Management in Tsinghua

　　University.　As we can see, China and the United States have a bright future

　　in scientific and cultural exchanges.　Now -- just now, you have made warm

　　remarks about our universities.　So my question is, if possible, do you --

　　will you be happy to encourage your daughters to study in our university?

　　Thank you. (Applause.)

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　I'm afraid they don't listen to me anymore.　(Laughter.) If

　　you know what I mean.　Let me -- first of all, I hope they do come here.　It

　　is an amazing country.　You know, as I said, I was here in 1975.　It is hard

　　for

　　me to describe the difference.　It is an amazing transformation.　I first

　　saw that in Shanghai, earlier this fall -- or last fall.

　　They would benefit from coming here, as would a lot of other United States

　　students.　I think our student exchange program is very important.　I think

　　our nation must be welcoming to Chinese students who would like to go study

　　in America.　I think that would benefit the students, but, as importantly,

　　it would

　　benefit American students.

　　It's so important for people to realize in both our countries that we're

　　dealing with human beings that have got desires and loves and frustrations.

　　Even old citizens like me and the Vice President -- (laughter.)

　　THE INTERPRETER:　I'm sorry, sir?

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　Even old citizens like me and the Vice President --

　　(laughter) -- can benefit by spending time getting to know each other.

　　Obviously, there are some issues in our relationship that we don't see 100

　　percent -- don't have a 100 percent agreement on.　But it is so much better

　　to discuss these issues after you get to know a person, as a person.

　　We're human beings, first and foremost.　There are just some important

　　characteristics that are real.　And, you know, I talked about my families in

　　my speech.　Family is just such an important, integral part of any society.

　　And China has got a grand history of honoring family that is an important

　　tradition,

　　an important part of your culture.　And I hope my country, as well, has a --

　　is

　　known for a strong tradition of family.　That's a concept that is not owned

　　by a particular country; it is universal.　And when students get to know

　　each other, they learn the universality of many values.　And that's going to

　　be important for peace in the world.

　　Another question?

　　Q　　Please let me translate my question in English.　Mr. President, I'm a

　　student from Center for International Communication Studies.　Younger Bush

　　Neil Bush visited our university just before last Christmas, and he

　　mentioned that there are many Americans, especially politicians, have a lot

　　of misunderstandings about China.　So just like -- just as our Vice

　　President Hu Jintao and you mentioned, you all want to make efforts to

　　promote the Sino-American relationship to go ahead smoothly.　So my question

　　is, being the President of the United States, what will it take -- some

　　action to promote the contacts and exchanges between the two countries,

　　between the peoples at all different levels?　Thank you.

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　Well, thank you, that's a very good question.

　　Q　　Thank you.

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　Well, first of all, my trip here and my discussion here

　　helps promote -- (applause) -- people in my country are paying attention to

　　my visit here.　And it should interest you that I was here in the fall and

　　I'm back

　　here again in the winter -- twice, in a very brief period of time.　That

　　should

　　say something about the importance of our relationships.

　　It's important for our political leaders to come to China.　And I know many

　　have, and more ought to come.　It's important for the rhetoric, when we

　　describe what we've seen to be accurate and real.　And when I go back home,

　　I describe a great nation, a nation that has not only got a great history,

　　but an unbelievably exciting future.

　　Many people in my country are very interested in China, and many come, as

　　you know.　They come to not only see the beautiful countryside, but they

　　come to

　　learn more about the culture and the people.　And we've got to continue to

　　encourage travel between both our countries.　(gap in feed --)

　　In 1975, everybody wore the same clothes.　Now, people pick their own

　　clothes.　Just look here on the front row, everybody's dressed differently.

　　Because you thought, this is what you wanted.　You made the decision to wear

　　a beautiful red sweater.　And when you made that decision, somebody made it.

　　And, in other words, the person, the individual, the demand for a product

　　influences the production, as opposed to the other way around.　Recognizing

　　the desires of the individual in the marketplace is part of a free society.

　　It is a

　　part of the definition of freedom.　And I see that as the most significant

　　change that I can see, besides the new buildings and all the construction.

　　But the most important thing is the human dimension of freeing people to

　　decide for themselves.　And with that freedom comes other freedoms.　So you

　　can understand why the transformation from my memory of 1975 to today is

　　significant.　I mean, it is an amazing change -- for the better, I might

　　add.

　　I'll answer one more question, then I've got to go have lunch with your

　　President.　(Laughter.)　Yes, sir, in the blue.

　　Q　　Thank you, Mr. Bush.　Thank you, Mr. President, for giving me the last

　　chance to ask you a question.　I have read your autobiography, and in it you

　　wrote about some social problem in the U.S. today, just like the violence in

　　campus and juvenile delinquency, and such as the children in poverty.　And

　　we know -- a former schoolmate of our university, Tsinghua, and he studied

　　in USA and was killed last year.　And I feel so sad.　And I know this kind

　　of crime has

　　become more and more serious in today U.S. As the President, do you have any

　　good plan to improve the human rights today in

　　the U.S.?　Thank you.

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　Sure.　Well, first of all, I'm proud to report that violent

　　crime actually is going down.　But any crime is too much crime.　I mean,

　　anytime somebody is violent toward their neighbor, it's too much violence.

　　And

　　there's no question, we've got people living in poverty.　But, as I

　　mentioned, our government is very generous in the amounts of money we spend

　　trying to help people help themselves.　When we all campaigned for office,

　　one of the big debates is how best to help people help themselves.

　　Foreign policy is an important part of our campaigns, of course -- at least

　　for President.　But the American voter really is more focused on domestic

　　politics, what's happening at home, as you can imagine.　If the economy is

　　soft,

　　like ours is now, they want to know what's going to happen -- what are you

　　doing about the economy?　If the economy's good, then they don't talk much

　　about

　　the economy.

　　But always we talk about two key issues to address your problem.　One is

　　welfare; how do we structure a welfare system that helps people in need, and

　　in my judgment, should not make them dependent upon their government.　And

　　the other big issue is education.　It's always not only an important part of

　　campaigns, but it's an important part of being -- once you're in office.

　　When I was the governor of Texas, I used to always say, an educated child is

　　one less likely to commit a crime.　As a governor, and now as President, I

　　have spent a lot of time working with members of both political parties to

　　develop an education plan that starts making sure children learn before they

　　just get shuffled through the system.

　　One of the saddest facts about my country is that there are a significant

　　number of fourth grade students who cannot read at grade level.　Imagine a

　　child

　　who can't read in the fourth grade is a child that's not going to be able to

　　read in the eighth grade.　And if a child can't read in the eighth grade,

　　it's likely that child's not going to be able to read sufficiently when they

　　get out of high school, and therefore won't be able to go to college.　It's

　　a shame in America that that's the case.

　　So as part of an education bill I managed to get through Congress last year,

　　we've got a significant reading initiative, where we'll work with the states

　　and the local jurisdictions to focus on an education program that emphasizes

　　reading.　This year I hope to work with my wife and others on a early

　　childhood development program, so the youngsters get the building blocks to

　　learn how to read.

　　I'm actually working my way to your question, I promise you.　(Laughter.)

　　Because education is the best anti-crime program.　It's important to enforce

　　law.　It's important to hold people accountable for their actions.　It is

　　important to have consistent policy that says, if you harm somebody, there

　　will be a punishment for that harm.　But in the best interests for my

　　country, the long-term solution is to make sure the education system works

　　for everybody. And when that happens, there will be a more hopeful future

　　for people, and there

　　will be less poverty, less hopelessness, and less crime.

　　Listen, thank you for letting me come.　God bless you all.

總統(tǒng)布什在清華的演講

State, Colin Powell.　It's good to see you, Mr. Secretary.　(Applause.)　And

　　I see my National Security Advisor, Ms. Condoleezza Rice, who at one time

　　was the provost at Stanford University.　So she's comfortable on university 

　　campuses such as this.　Thank you for being here, Condi.　(Applause.)

　　I'm so grateful for the hospitality, and honored for the　reception at one

　　of China's, and the world's, great universities.

　　This university was founded, interestingly enough, with the support of my

　　country, to further ties between our two nations.　I know how important this

　　place is to your Vice President.　He not only received his degree here, but

　　more importantly, he met his gracious wife here.　(Laughter.)

　　I want to thank the students for giving me the chance to meet with you, the

　　chance to talk a little bit about my country and answer some of your

　　questions.

　　The standards and reputation of this university are known around the world,

　　and I know what an achievement it is to be here.　So, congratulations.

　　(Applause.)　I don't know if you know this or not, but my wife and I have

　　two daughters who are in college, just like you.　One goes to the University

　　of Texas.　One goes to Yale.　They're twins.　And we are proud of our

　　daughters, just like I'm sure your parents are proud of you.

　　My visit to China comes on an important anniversary, as the Vice President

　　mentioned.　Thirty years ago this week, an American President arrived in

　　China on a trip designed to end decades of estrangement and confront

　　centuries of suspicion.　President Richard Nixon showed the world that two

　　vastly different governments could meet on the grounds of common interest,

　　in the spirit of mutual respect.　As they left the airport that day, Premier

　　Zhou Enlai said this

　　to President Nixon:　"Your handshake came over the vastest ocean in the

　　world

　　-- 25 years of no communication."

　　During the 30 years since, America and China have exchanged many handshakes

　　of friendship and commerce.　And as we have had more contact with each

　　other, the citizens of both countries have gradually learned more about each

　　other. And that's important.　Once America knew China only by its history as

　　a great and enduring civilization.　Today, we see a China that is still

　　defined by noble

　　traditions of family, scholarship, and honor.　And we see a China that is

　　becoming one of the most dynamic and creative societies in the world -- as

　　demonstrated by the knowledge and potential right here in this room.　China

　　is on a rising path, and America welcomes the emergence of a strong and

　　peaceful and prosperous China.　(Applause.)

　　As America learns more about China, I am concerned that the Chinese people

　　do not always see a clear picture of my country.　This happens for many

　　reasons,

　　and some of them of our own making.　Our movies and television shows often

　　do not portray the values of the real America I know.　Our successful

　　businesses show a strength of American commerce, but our spirit, community

　　spirit, and contributions to each other are not always visible as monetary

　　success.

　　Some of the erroneous pictures of America are painted by others.　My friend,

　　the Ambassador to China, tells me some Chinese textbooks talk of Americans

　　of "bullying the weak and repressing the poor."　Another Chinese textbook,

　　published just last year, teaches that special agents of the FBI are used to

　　"repress the working people."　Now, neither of these is true -- and while

　　the words may be leftovers from a previous era, they are misleading and

　　they're harmful.

　　In fact, Americans feel a special responsibility for the weak and the poor.

　　Our government spends billions of dollars to provide health care and food

　　and housing for those who cannot help themselves -- and even more important,

　　many of

　　our citizens contribute their own money and time to help those in need.

　　American compassion also stretches way beyond our borders.　We're the number

　　one

　　provider of humanitarian aid to people in need throughout the world.　And as

　　for the men and women of the FBI and law enforcement, they're working

　　people; they, themselves, are working people who devote their lives to

　　fighting crime and corruption.

　　My country certainly has its share of problems, no question about that. And

　　we have our faults.　Like most nations we're on a long journey toward

　　achieving our own ideals of equality and justice.　Yet there's a reason our

　　nation shines as a beacon of hope and opportunity, a reason many throughout

　　the world dream of coming to America.　It's because we're a free nation,

　　where men and women have the opportunity to achieve their dreams.　No matter

　　your background or your circumstance of birth, in America you can get a good

　　education, you can start your own business, you can raise a family, you can

　　worship freely, and help elect the leaders of your community and your

　　country. You can support the policies of our government, or you're free to

　　openly disagree with them.　Those who fear freedom sometimes argue it could

　　lead to chaos, but it does not, because freedom means more than every man

　　for himself.

　　Liberty gives our citizens many rights, yet expects them to exercise

　　important responsibilities.　Our liberty is given direction and purpose by

　　moral

　　character, shaped in strong families, strong communities, and strong

　　religious institutions, and overseen by a strong and fair legal system.

　　My country's greatest symbol to the world is the Statue of Liberty, and it

　　was designed by special care.　I don't know if you've ever seen the Statue

　　of Liberty, but if you look closely, she's holding not one object, but two.

　　In one

　　hand is the familiar torch we call the "light of liberty."　And in the other

　　hand is a book of law.

　　We're a nation of laws.　Our courts are honest and they are independent. The

　　President -- me -- I can't tell the courts how to rule, and neither can any

　　other member of the executive or legislative branch of government.　Under

　　our law, everyone stands equal.　No one is above the law, and no one is

　　beneath it.

　　All political power in America is limited and it is temporary, and only

　　given by the free vote of the people.　We have a Constitution, now two

　　centuries

　　old, which limits and balances the power of the three branches of our

　　government, the judicial branch, the legislative branch, and the executive

　　branch, of which I'm a part.

　　Many of the values that guide our life in America are first shaped in our

　　families, just as they are in your country.　American moms and dads love

　　their children and work hard and sacrifice for them, because we believe life

　　can always be better for the next generation.　In our families, we find love

　　and learn responsibility and character.

　　And many Americans voluntarily devote part of their lives to serving other

　　people.　An amazing number -- nearly half of all adults in America --

　　volunteer time every week to make their communities better by mentoring

　　children, or by visiting the sick, or caring for the elderly, or helping

　　with thousands of other

　　needs and causes.　This is one of the great strengths of my country.　People

　　take responsibility for helping others, without being told, motivated by

　　their good hearts and often by their faith.

　　America is a nation guided by faith.　Someone once called us "a nation with

　　the soul of a church."　This may interest you -- 95 percent of Americans say

　　they believe in God, and I'm one of them.

　　When I met President Jiang Zemin in Shanghai a few months ago, I had the

　　honor of sharing with him how faith changed my life and how faith

　　contributes to

　　the life of my country.　Faith points to a moral law beyond man's law, and

　　calls us to duties higher than material gain.　Freedom of religion is not

　　something to be feared, it's to be welcomed, because faith gives us a moral

　　core

　　and teaches us to hold ourselves to high standards, to love and to serve

　　others, and to live responsible lives.

　　If you travel across America -- and I hope you do some day if you haven't

　　been there -- you will find people of many different ethic backgrounds and

　　many different faiths.　We're a varied nation.　We're home to 2.3 million

　　Americans of Chinese ancestry, who can be found working in the offices of

　　our corporations, or in the Cabinet of the President of the United States,

　　or skating for the America Olympic team.　Every immigrant, by taking an oath

　　of allegiance to our country, becomes just as just as American as the

　　President. America shows that a society can be vast and it can be varied,

　　yet still one country, commanding the allegiance and love of its people.

　　And all these qualities of America were widely on display on a single day,

　　September the 11th, the day when terrorists, murderers, attacked my nation.

　　American policemen and firefighters, by the hundreds, ran into burning

　　towers in

　　desperation to save their fellow citizens.　Volunteers came from everywhere

　　to help with rescue efforts.　Americans donated blood and gave money to help

　　the families of victims.　America had prayer services all over our country,

　　and people raised flags to show their pride and unity.　And you need to

　　know, none of this was ordered by the government; it happened spontaneously,

　　by the initiative of free people.

　　Life in America shows that liberty, paired with law is not to be feared. In

　　a free society, diversity is not disorder.　Debate is not strife.　And

　　dissent is not revolution.　A free society trusts its citizens to seek

　　greatness

　　in themselves and their country.

　　It was my honor to visit China in 1975 -- some of you weren't even born

　　then.　It shows how old I am.　(Laughter.)　And a lot has changed in your

　　country since then.　China has made amazing progress -- in openness and

　　enterprise and economic freedom.　And this progress previews China'a great

　　potential.

　　China has joined the World Trade Organization, and as you live up to its

　　obligations, they inevitably will bring changes to China's legal system.　A

　　modern China will have a consistent rule of law to govern commerce and

　　secure the rights of its people.　The new China your generation is building

　　will need the profound wisdom of your traditions.　The lure of materialism

　　challenges our society -- challenges society in our country, and in many

　　successful countries.

　　Your ancient ethic of personal and family responsibility will serve you

　　well.

　　Behind China's economic success today are talented, brilliant and energetic

　　people.　In the near future, those same men and women will play a full and

　　active role in your government.　This university is not simply turning out

　　specialists, it is preparing citizens.　And citizens are not spectators in

　　the affairs of their country.　They are participants in its future.

　　Change is coming.　China is already having secret ballot and competitive

　　elections at the local level.　Nearly 20 years ago,　a great Chinese leader,

　　Deng Xiaoping, said this -- I want you to hear his words.　He said that

　　China would eventually expand democratic elections all the way to the

　　national level.

　　I look forward to that day.

　　Tens of millions of Chinese today are relearning Buddhist, Taoist, and local

　　religious traditions, or practicing Christianity, Islam, and other faiths.

　　Regardless of where or how these believers worship, they're no threat to

　　public order; in fact, they make good citizens.　For centuries, this country

　　has

　　had a tradition of religious tolerance.　My prayer is that all persecution

　　will

　　end, so that all in China are free to gather and worship as they wish.

　　All these changes will lead to a stronger, more confident China -- a China

　　that can astonish and enrich the world, a China that your generation will

　　help create.　This is one of the most exciting times in the history of your

　　country, a time when even the grandest hopes seem within your reach.

　　My nation offers you our respect and our friendship.　Six years from now,

　　athletes from America and around the world will come to your country for the

　　Olympic games.　And I'm confident they will find a China that is becoming a

　　da guo, a leading nation, at peace with its people and at peace with the

　　world.

　　Thank you for letting me come.　(Applause.)

　　Q　　Mr. President, yesterday I watched the press conference made by you and

　　President Jiang Zemin.　At the conference, you didn't clearly answer a

　　question, which is a concern by almost everybody.　It's why the TMD system

　　will cover Taiwan.　And what's more, whenever you talk about the Taiwan

　　issue, you always use a phrase just like, peaceful settlement.　You never

　　use the phrase, peaceful reunification.　What's the difference and why?

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　Thank you, very good question.　(Applause.)　First of all,

　　I want to compliment you on your English.　Very good.

　　The first thing that is important on the Taiwan issue is that my government

　　hopes there is a peaceful, as I said, dialogue, that there is a settlement

　　to this issue.　But it must be done in a peaceful way.　That's why I keep

　　emphasizing peaceful.　And, by the way, "peaceful" is a word intended for

　　both parties, that neither party should provoke that -- go ahead, I'm sorry.

　　THE INTERPRETER:　First of all -- sorry.

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　She's correcting my English.　(Laughter.)

　　THE INTERPRETER:　I'm sorry, Mr. President.　(Continues in Chinese.)

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　We've had many discussions with your leaders, and I've

　　reiterated support for the one China policy.　It's been my government's

　　policy for a long period of time, and I haven't changed it.　(Applause.)

　　I also, in your question about missile defenses, have made it clear that our

　　nation will develop defenses to help our friends, our allies, and others

　　around the world protect ourselves from rogue nations that have the -- that

　　are trying to develop weapons of mass destruction.　To me, that is essential

　　for peace in the world.　We have yet to develop a system, and therefore,

　　that's exactly what I said yesterday.　And it's the truth.　But we're in the

　　process of

　　seeing if we can't develop a system.　And I think it will bring more

　　stability to the world than less.

　　And let me just say one general comment that's very important for you to

　　know.　And it's also important for the people of my country to know -- that

　　my administration is committed to peacefully resolving issues around the

　　world.　We

　　want the issues resolved in a peaceful manner.

　　And we've got a lot of issues that we deal with.　We're dealing in the

　　Middle East.　And if you follow the news, it's a very dangerous period of

　　time there.　We're working hard to bring peaceful resolution there.　We're

　　working hard to bring a peaceful resolution to Kashmir, which is important

　　for China. And I recently went to Korea and I made it very clear that we

　　want to resolve the issues on the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful way.

　　Another question, please?

　　Q　　I'll repeat my question in English.

　　THE PRESIDENT:　Thank you.

　　Q　　It's a pity you still haven't given us -- sorry -- give us a clear

　　question about whether you always use the peaceful settlement.　You have

　　never said "peaceful reunification."　It's a pity.

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　We're back on Taiwan again -- (laughter) -- go ahead.

　　Q　　This is a question our Chinese people are extremely concerned about.

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　Yes, I know.

　　Q　　Three days ago, during your speech in the Japanese Parliament, you

　　said, the United States will still remember its commitment to Taiwan.

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　Right.

　　Q　　But my question is, does the U.S. still remember its commitment to 1.3

　　billion Chinese people?　(Applause.)　Abiding by the three Joint Communiques

　　and three notes.　Thank you.

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　Thank you very much.　As I said, this seems to be a topic

　　on people's mind, obviously.　I can't say it any more clearly, that I am

　　anxious

　　that there be a peaceful resolution that's going to require both parties to

　　come to a solution.　And that's what I mean by peaceful dialogue.　And I

　　hope it

　　happens in my lifetime and I hope it happens in yours.　It will make a -- it

　　will be an important milestone.

　　And, secondly, when my country makes an agreement, we stick with it.　And

　　there is called the Taiwan Relations Act, and I honor that act, which says

　　we will help Taiwan defend herself if provoked.　But we've also sent the

　　same message that there should be no provocation by either party for a

　　peaceful dialogue.

　　Next question.　Yes, ma'am.　That's not a ma'am; that's a male.　Sorry.

　　Actually, I said, yes, ma'am, but --

　　Q　　Now, please let me repeat my question in English.　Mr. President, I'm a

　　student coming from the School of Economics and Management in Tsinghua

　　University.　As we can see, China and the United States have a bright future

　　in scientific and cultural exchanges.　Now -- just now, you have made warm

　　remarks about our universities.　So my question is, if possible, do you --

　　will you be happy to encourage your daughters to study in our university?

　　Thank you. (Applause.)

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　I'm afraid they don't listen to me anymore.　(Laughter.) If

　　you know what I mean.　Let me -- first of all, I hope they do come here.　It

　　is an amazing country.　You know, as I said, I was here in 1975.　It is hard

　　for

　　me to describe the difference.　It is an amazing transformation.　I first

　　saw that in Shanghai, earlier this fall -- or last fall.

　　They would benefit from coming here, as would a lot of other United States

　　students.　I think our student exchange program is very important.　I think

　　our nation must be welcoming to Chinese students who would like to go study

　　in America.　I think that would benefit the students, but, as importantly,

　　it would

　　benefit American students.

　　It's so important for people to realize in both our countries that we're

　　dealing with human beings that have got desires and loves and frustrations.

　　Even old citizens like me and the Vice President -- (laughter.)

　　THE INTERPRETER:　I'm sorry, sir?

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　Even old citizens like me and the Vice President --

　　(laughter) -- can benefit by spending time getting to know each other.

　　Obviously, there are some issues in our relationship that we don't see 100

　　percent -- don't have a 100 percent agreement on.　But it is so much better

　　to discuss these issues after you get to know a person, as a person.

　　We're human beings, first and foremost.　There are just some important

　　characteristics that are real.　And, you know, I talked about my families in

　　my speech.　Family is just such an important, integral part of any society.

　　And China has got a grand history of honoring family that is an important

　　tradition,

　　an important part of your culture.　And I hope my country, as well, has a --

　　is

　　known for a strong tradition of family.　That's a concept that is not owned

　　by a particular country; it is universal.　And when students get to know

　　each other, they learn the universality of many values.　And that's going to

　　be important for peace in the world.

　　Another question?

　　Q　　Please let me translate my question in English.　Mr. President, I'm a

　　student from Center for International Communication Studies.　Younger Bush

　　Neil Bush visited our university just before last Christmas, and he

　　mentioned that there are many Americans, especially politicians, have a lot

　　of misunderstandings about China.　So just like -- just as our Vice

　　President Hu Jintao and you mentioned, you all want to make efforts to

　　promote the Sino-American relationship to go ahead smoothly.　So my question

　　is, being the President of the United States, what will it take -- some

　　action to promote the contacts and exchanges between the two countries,

　　between the peoples at all different levels?　Thank you.

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　Well, thank you, that's a very good question.

　　Q　　Thank you.

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　Well, first of all, my trip here and my discussion here

　　helps promote -- (applause) -- people in my country are paying attention to

　　my visit here.　And it should interest you that I was here in the fall and

　　I'm back

　　here again in the winter -- twice, in a very brief period of time.　That

　　should

　　say something about the importance of our relationships.

　　It's important for our political leaders to come to China.　And I know many

　　have, and more ought to come.　It's important for the rhetoric, when we

　　describe what we've seen to be accurate and real.　And when I go back home,

　　I describe a great nation, a nation that has not only got a great history,

　　but an unbelievably exciting future.

　　Many people in my country are very interested in China, and many come, as

　　you know.　They come to not only see the beautiful countryside, but they

　　come to

　　learn more about the culture and the people.　And we've got to continue to

　　encourage travel between both our countries.　(gap in feed --)

　　In 1975, everybody wore the same clothes.　Now, people pick their own

　　clothes.　Just look here on the front row, everybody's dressed differently.

　　Because you thought, this is what you wanted.　You made the decision to wear

　　a beautiful red sweater.　And when you made that decision, somebody made it.

　　And, in other words, the person, the individual, the demand for a product

　　influences the production, as opposed to the other way around.　Recognizing

　　the desires of the individual in the marketplace is part of a free society.

　　It is a

　　part of the definition of freedom.　And I see that as the most significant

　　change that I can see, besides the new buildings and all the construction.

　　But the most important thing is the human dimension of freeing people to

　　decide for themselves.　And with that freedom comes other freedoms.　So you

　　can understand why the transformation from my memory of 1975 to today is

　　significant.　I mean, it is an amazing change -- for the better, I might

　　add.

　　I'll answer one more question, then I've got to go have lunch with your

　　President.　(Laughter.)　Yes, sir, in the blue.

　　Q　　Thank you, Mr. Bush.　Thank you, Mr. President, for giving me the last

　　chance to ask you a question.　I have read your autobiography, and in it you

　　wrote about some social problem in the U.S. today, just like the violence in

　　campus and juvenile delinquency, and such as the children in poverty.　And

　　we know -- a former schoolmate of our university, Tsinghua, and he studied

　　in USA and was killed last year.　And I feel so sad.　And I know this kind

　　of crime has

　　become more and more serious in today U.S. As the President, do you have any

　　good plan to improve the human rights today in

　　the U.S.?　Thank you.

　　PRESIDENT BUSH:　Sure.　Well, first of all, I'm proud to report that violent

　　crime actually is going down.　But any crime is too much crime.　I mean,

　　anytime somebody is violent toward their neighbor, it's too much violence.

　　And

　　there's no question, we've got people living in poverty.　But, as I

　　mentioned, our government is very generous in the amounts of money we spend

　　trying to help people help themselves.　When we all campaigned for office,

　　one of the big debates is how best to help people help themselves.

　　Foreign policy is an important part of our campaigns, of course -- at least

　　for President.　But the American voter really is more focused on domestic

　　politics, what's happening at home, as you can imagine.　If the economy is

　　soft,

　　like ours is now, they want to know what's going to happen -- what are you

　　doing about the economy?　If the economy's good, then they don't talk much

　　about

　　the economy.

　　But always we talk about two key issues to address your problem.　One is

　　welfare; how do we structure a welfare system that helps people in need, and

　　in my judgment, should not make them dependent upon their government.　And

　　the other big issue is education.　It's always not only an important part of

　　campaigns, but it's an important part of being -- once you're in office.

　　When I was the governor of Texas, I used to always say, an educated child is

　　one less likely to commit a crime.　As a governor, and now as President, I

　　have spent a lot of time working with members of both political parties to

　　develop an education plan that starts making sure children learn before they

　　just get shuffled through the system.

　　One of the saddest facts about my country is that there are a significant

　　number of fourth grade students who cannot read at grade level.　Imagine a

　　child

　　who can't read in the fourth grade is a child that's not going to be able to

　　read in the eighth grade.　And if a child can't read in the eighth grade,

　　it's likely that child's not going to be able to read sufficiently when they

　　get out of high school, and therefore won't be able to go to college.　It's

　　a shame in America that that's the case.

　　So as part of an education bill I managed to get through Congress last year,

　　we've got a significant reading initiative, where we'll work with the states

　　and the local jurisdictions to focus on an education program that emphasizes

　　reading.　This year I hope to work with my wife and others on a early

　　childhood development program, so the youngsters get the building blocks to

　　learn how to read.

　　I'm actually working my way to your question, I promise you.　(Laughter.)

　　Because education is the best anti-crime program.　It's important to enforce

　　law.　It's important to hold people accountable for their actions.　It is

　　important to have consistent policy that says, if you harm somebody, there

　　will be a punishment for that harm.　But in the best interests for my

　　country, the long-term solution is to make sure the education system works

　　for everybody. And when that happens, there will be a more hopeful future

　　for people, and there

　　will be less poverty, less hopelessness, and less crime.

　　Listen, thank you for letting me come.　God bless you all.