[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 31 (Monday, August 11, 2008)]
[Pages 1115-1116]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.

[[Page 1116]]

    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 dialog between our nations. You might 
remember that yourself. [Laughter]
    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 
Marvin Bush, brother, and Dorothy Bush Koch, sister, of President Bush; 
State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Minister of Finance Xie Xuren, and 
Ambassador to the U.S. Zhou Wenzhong of China; former Secretary of State 
Henry 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.