[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
[August 8, 2008]
[Pages 1127-1128]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks at a Dedication Ceremony for the United States Embassy in 
Beijing, China
August 8, 2008

    Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. [Laughter] It is quite an 
honor to be introduced by your dad. This 
has got to be a historic moment: father and son, two Presidents, opening 
up an Embassy. I suspect it's the first, although I must confess, I 
haven't done a lot of research into the itinerary of the Adams boys. 
[Laughter]
    My dad was a fabulous President. And I 
tell people one reason why was not only did he know what he was doing, 
he was a fabulous father.
    Mr. Ambassador, honored 
guests: Laura and I, my brother and my sister are proud 
to be here with our dad as we open and 
dedicate this new Embassy.
    No doubt, this is an impressive complex. To me it speaks of the 
importance of our relations with China. It reflects the solid foundation 
underpinning our relations. It is a commitment to strengthen that 
foundation for years to come.
    I thank all those who designed and built the Embassy and all those 
who work here to advance the interests and values of our great Nation. 
Dad and I are honored that Councilor 
Dai has joined us, and Minister Xie; Ambassador Zhou, who, by the 
way, opened a new Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC, designed by I.M. 
Pei, a couple weeks ago.
    We appreciate our friend Anne Johnson being 
here, director of the Art in Embassies Program. Dr. 
Kissinger, thanks for coming.
    It takes a special band to open the Embassy. Out of west Texas--
Odessa, Texas, for that matter--the Gatlin 
boys are with us today. 
I thank the Red Poppies. Thank you for your talent.
    And finally, I want to pay tribute to Sandy Randt, who has done a fabulous job as our Ambassador 
to China. Sandy, thank you and--[applause].
    We're proud to be here with those citizens of ours who work at the 
Embassy, and we say thanks to the Chinese nationals who make our Embassy 
go as well.
    I'm honored to represent the United States at this opening 
ceremonies of the Olympic Games here in Beijing. And I'm looking forward 
to cheering our athletes on. Mr. Ambassador, I'm not making any predictions about medal counts, but I 
can tell you the U.S. athletes are ready to come and compete in the 
spirit of friendship.
    You know, during my last visit here, I had the opportunity to break 
in the mountain biking course. I was so proud of my efforts, I told 
Laura I was thinking about entering the 
competition myself. [Laughter] She reminded me they don't give any 
medals for last place. [Laughter]
    Tonight the Olympic torch will light the home of an ancient 
civilization with a grand history. Thousands of years ago, the Chinese 
people developed a common language and unified a great nation. China 
became the center for art and literature, commerce and philosophy. China 
advanced the frontiers of knowledge in medicine, astronomy, navigation, 
engineering, and many other fields. And the Chinese are even said to 
have invented the parachute, something for which the 41st 
President is very grateful.
    We share a long history. The first American ship arrived in China 
just after the year we won our independence. World War II, Americans and 
Chinese fought side by side to liberate this land from Imperial Japan. 
We all remember very clearly, Dr. K, when 
President Nixon came to Beijing to begin a new era of dialogue between 
our nations. You might remember that yourself. [Laughter]

[[Page 1128]]

    Today, the United States and China have built a strong relationship, 
rooted in common interests. China has opened its economy and begun to 
unleash the entrepreneurial spirit of its people. America will continue 
to support China on the path toward a free economy.
    We're also cooperating to fight pandemic diseases and respond to 
natural disasters. And through the six-party talks, we're working 
together to ensure that the Korean Peninsula is free of nuclear weapons.
    The relationship between our nations is constructive and cooperative 
and candid. We'll continue to be candid about our mutual global 
responsibilities. We must work together to protect the environment and 
help people in the developing world, continue to be candid about our 
belief that all people should have the freedom to say what they think 
and worship as they choose. We strongly believe societies which allow 
the free expression of ideas tend to be the most prosperous and the most 
peaceful.
    Candor is the most effective--is most effective where nations have 
built a relationship of respect and trust. I've worked hard to build 
that respect and trust. I appreciate the Chinese leadership that have 
worked hard to build that respect and trust. And I thank all those here 
at the Embassy who are doing the same thing. The people here who work 
made sacrifices to serve our country. Serving America is noble, and I 
hope you found it to be rewarding, just like I have.
    I'm honored to be with you. I appreciate the honor of dedicating 
this new Embassy. And I'm looking forward to going to the games. 
[Laughter] God bless.

Note: The President spoke at 8:10 a.m. In his remarks, he referred to 
his brother Marvin P. Bush and his sister Dorothy Bush Koch; State 
Councilor Dai Bingguo, Minister of Finance Xie Xuren, and Ambassador to 
the U.S. Zhou Wenzhong of China; former Secretary of State Henry A. 
Kissinger; and entertainers Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers and the 
Red Poppy Ladies Percussion Ensemble. The transcript released by the 
Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks of former 
President George H.W. Bush. The Office of the Press Secretary also 
released a Spanish language transcript of these remarks.