    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [February 22, 2002]
    [Pages 270-277]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks and a Question-and-Answer Session at Tsinghua University in
    Beijing
    February 22, 2002

        The President. Vice President Hu, thank you
    very much for your kind and generous remarks. Thank you for welcoming me
    and my wife, Laura, here. I see she's keeping
    pretty good company, with the Secretary of State, Colin Powell. It's good to see you, Mr. Secretary. And I see my
    National Security Adviser, 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.
        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.
        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

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    path, and America welcomes the emergence of a strong and peaceful and
    prosperous China.
        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.

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        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 ethnic
    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 an 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's
    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.

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        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.

    Taiwan

        Participant. 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?
        The President. Thank you, very good question. 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, dialog, 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 continued the translation.]

        Interpreter. First of all--sorry.
        The President. She's correcting my English. [Laughter]
        Interpreter. I'm sorry, Mr. President.

    [The interpreter continued the translation.]

        The President. 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.
        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

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    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?
        Participant. I'll repeat my question in English.
        The President. Thank you.
        Participant. 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.
        The President. We're back on Taiwan again--[laughter]--go ahead.
        Participant. This is a question our Chinese people are extremely
    concerned about.
        The President. Yes, I know.
        Participant. Three days ago, during your speech in the Japanese
    Parliament, you said, the United States will still remember its
    commitment to Taiwan.
        The President. Right.
        Participant. But my question is, does the U.S. still remember its
    commitment to 1.3 billion Chinese people, abiding by the 3 Joint
    Communiques and 3 notes? Thank you.
        The President. 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
    dialog. 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 dialog.
        Next question. Yes, ma'am. That's not a ma'am; that's a male. Sorry.
    Actually, I said, ``Yes, ma'am,'' but----

    China-U.S. Student Exchanges

        Participant. 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.
        The President. 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

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    like me and the Vice President--[laughter]----
        Interpreter. I'm sorry, sir?
        The President. Even older 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?

    China-U.S. Relations

        Participant. Please let me translate my question in English. Mr.
    President, I'm a student from Center for International Communication
    Studies. Your younger brother 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.
        The President. Well, thank you, that's a very good question.
        Participant. Thank you.
        The President. 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.
        But you know, what's really going to make a significant difference
    in world understanding of your great country is the Olympics. It's going
    to be a fantastic opportunity--it is. It's going to be a chance for
    people from all over the world not only to come and visit and to stay in
    hotels and to see the modernization that has taken place, but everybody
    in the world is going to watch it on TV, too, and it's going to be a
    great opportunity. And I think that's one of the reasons why I think it
    makes sense to give Beijing the Olympics in 2008.
        Yes, sir. Go ahead and yell it. There you go.
        Participant. Now please, let me repeat it in English.
        The President. Thank you.

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    Changes in Chinese Society

        Participant. Mr. President, you have been to China in 1975, and you
    have mentioned just now there are a lot of changes in the Chinese
    society. Have the effects--the programs in the economy--have you noticed
    any other social programs in the changing society?
        The President. Well, I appreciate that. Let me tell you my most
    notable--the thing I have noticed most. And it has to do with the
    economy, but it also has to do with a different attitude toward the
    people.
        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.

    Crime and Education in the United States

        Participant. 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.
        The President. 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

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    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 anticrime 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.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:35 a.m. in the main hall. In his
    remarks, he referred to Vice President Hu Jintao of China, who
    introduced the President; President Jiang Zemin of China; and U.S.
    Ambassador to China Clark T. Randt, Jr. A participant in the question-
    and-answer session referred to the theater missile defense (TMD) system.
    Participants asked their questions in Chinese and then in English.