    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [February 21, 2002]
    [Pages 267-269]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Viewing the Cummins Bus Engine and an Exchange With Reporters
    in Beijing
    February 21, 2002

        The President. Well, thank you very much, Martha. I appreciate that explanation as to why trade is to
    the advantage of the United States worker and to the Chinese worker. I
    want to thank you very much for inviting me and the Secretary of
    State here and our Ambassador.
        We've just come from a very fruitful discussion of key issues with
    President Jiang, and part of our discussion had
    to do with trade, and part of our discussion had to do with how do we
    make sure we've got a clean environment. And it's very interesting to me
    that this presentation that you just made is a clear indication of how
    we can achieve both, prosperity and a cleaner environment.

    [[Page 268]]

        Before I say a few comments, I do want to thank Mr. Shusen, as well, for being here. Thank you, sir, for your
    leadership. I also want to thank Tim Stafford and Steven Chew, as well, for
    bringing their product by.
        As Martha said, China has bought about
    2,000 U.S.-built bus engines that burn clean compressed natural gas
    instead of diesel fuel. The city of Beijing now owns one of the largest
    natural gas bus fleets in the world. It is--it's wise policy, because
    natural gas burns cleanly.
        It is also wise policy that we trade together, because it means
    somebody is going to have a job. You know, there are some in the United
    States that fear trade. They want to erect barriers. I think this is a
    living example of why trade is positive and good. The bus engines China
    buys from America create jobs in North Carolina. The money that the
    workers earn in North Carolina can be used to purchase goods made in
    China. And as a result, both people benefit--both people, both
    countries, people in both countries are better off as a result of the
    commerce that takes place, in this case, as a result of automobile and
    bus engines and transmissions.
        As well, one of the things that the President
    and I talked about was the need to address greenhouse gases in a way
    that recognizes that economic growth and a cleaner environment can go
    hand in hand. I addressed our Nation a couple of weeks ago and laid out
    my administration's policy on climate change. In my address, I made it
    very clear that any policy must encourage economic vitality. Societies
    that are economically vital are those that are more able to afford the
    technologies that will end up cleaning up the environment.
        And so, growth is essential for our country and for China. And wise
    growth and the use of technologies can clean up our environment, and
    that's exactly what we're looking at here, and so I want to thank you
    all for a vivid example of why I have been so strong for China entering
    the WTO and why I believe that good, constructive policy using modern
    technologies can clean up both our environments.
        You know, we've got a strong relationship with China. China is a
    great country. China is a country that has got vast potential. And it's
    in our Nation's interest that we work with China on a variety of issues.
    It's in our Nation's interest that we trade with China. It's in our
    Nation's interest that China adhere to the rules of the World Trade
    Organization.
        It's in our Nation's interest we cooperate with China on the war
    against terror. And we are. And I appreciate the Chinese leadership for
    not only its quick response to the terrorist activities that hit our
    country on September the 11th and their compassionate response for the
    people of our country; I also appreciate the fact that we're working
    closely to battle terror around the world.
        It's in our interest to have good, strong dialog. As I said in a
    speech earlier today in South Korea, a point I also mentioned in Japan,
    is that the United States is a Pacific nation. And as a result, we've
    got to have and will maintain close relations with Pacific--or other
    nations in the Pacific. And there's no more important nation than China.
    And we will have close dialog with China. Sometimes we will agree, and
    sometimes we won't agree. But in those instances where we don't agree,
    we will do so in a respectful way.
        I want to thank you all for coming. I appreciate this living exhibit
    as to why trade is positive for the people of America and trade is
    positive for the people of China.
        Thank you.
        Okay. How is everybody doing over here?

    Upcoming Remarks at Tsinghua University

        Q. Will you be asking China to embrace American values?
        The President. You had your chance at the press conference.
        Q. What's your message for tomorrow?

    [[Page 269]]

        The President. My message, what?
        Q. Your message for tomorrow. We have to pitch ahead. Tomorrow at
    the university, will you be asking China to embrace American values?
        The President. I will be defending American values and talking
    clearly about American values. It's important for--starting with
    freedom. And I don't want to give it all away because you won't----
        Q. I will.
        The President. No, you won't. [Laughter]
        Q. What will you be asking the Chinese to do----
        The President. See, you're trying to get me to--I'd like you to come
    and pay attention to it word for word.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:47 p.m. at the St. Regis Hotel. In his
    remarks, he referred to Martha Brooks, vice president of marketing and
    sales, Cummins, Inc.; U.S. Ambassador to China Clark T. Randt, Jr.;
    President Jiang Zemin of China; Zheng Shusen, general manager, Beijing
    Public Transit Corp.; Timothy P. Stratford, vice chairman, General
    Motors China; and Steven Chew, commercial director, Allison Transmission
    China Operation. The exchange portion of these remarks could not be
    verified because the tape was incomplete.