[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 8 (Monday, February 25, 2002)]
[Pages 275-281]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 
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

[[Page 276]]

``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,

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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.
    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.

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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 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 three Joint 
Communiques and three 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

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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----

Future First Family Visits to China

    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 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.

[[Page 280]]

    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.
    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

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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 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 TMD system, theater missile defense 
system. Participants asked their questions in Chinese and then repeated 
them in English.