    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [June 30, 1998]
    [Pages 1104-1105]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Reception Hosted by Mayor Xu Kuangdi of Shanghai
    June 30, 1998

        Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor, Madame Xu; to Museum Director
    Ma; ladies and gentlemen. It is a great honor for my wife and members
    of our family, six Members of the United States Congress, and many
    members of our Cabinet and other American citizens to be here in
    Shanghai tonight.
        This museum is a fitting symbol of what I have seen in China these
    last few days, the magnificence of your ancient past and your brilliant
    future.
        I have seen a nation rising in its influence in the world, with
    China's leadership for stability in the Asian economic crisis and
    China's leadership for peace on the Korean Peninsula and in working with
    us to help to deal with the difficulties caused by the nuclear tests by
    India and Pakistan.
        I have seen the Chinese people rising, millions of them, out of
    poverty; millions more finding interesting work of their own choice,
    pursuing more educational opportunities, having more say in their local
    affairs. I saw a great example of that when the mayor and I did a talk
    radio show this morning here in Shanghai. And I was especially impressed
    when one of the callers called in and said, ``I don't want to talk to
    the President; I want to talk to the mayor about traffic problems in
    Shanghai.'' [Laughter]
        Shanghai is truly the place where East meets West. Over the last 150
    to 200 years, the West has not always been the best of partners in
    Shanghai, but now we have a good partnership. I am especially pleased
    that a United States firm, RTKL, will design the new Scienceland Museum
    here. I hope that is a symbol of the kinds of positive, good things we
    will do together in the future.
        I also want to say a special word of appreciation to your mayor. Mr.
    Mayor, I heard--this may not be a true story, but don't tell me if it's
    not--[laughter]--I heard that years ago when your predecessor, Zhu
    Rongji, invited you to head Shanghai's Central
    Planning Commission, you told him you hated the whole idea of central
    planning. And Zhu replied, ``Then you're exactly the man I want for the
    job.'' [Laughter]
        Now we see you unleashing this city's great potential, cutting
    redtape, fighting corruption, protecting the environment, spurring an
    artistic revival. You are making Shanghai a place the

    [[Page 1105]]

    world looks to for commerce, culture, and people of different walks of
    life thriving together.
        Mr. Mayor, in 1996 when I asked the American people to give me
    another term as President of the United States, the theme of my campaign
    was ``Building a Bridge to the 21st Century.'' In Shanghai, you are
    building that bridge to the 21st century, and we want to build it with
    you.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 6:40 p.m. at the Shanghai Museum. In his
    remarks, he referred to Mayor Xu Kuangdi of Shanghai and his wife, Xu
    Luoping; Ma Chengyan, director, Shanghai Museum; and Premier Zhu Rongji
    of China.