| Home | News| Living in China| MMS | SMS | About us | Contact us|
   
 Language Tips > 2002
Updated: 2002-02-22 01:00

President Bush's remarks at Tsinghua University (excerpts) (2002/02/22)

布什总统清华大学演讲 (节选) (2002/02/22)

President Bush's remarks at Tsinghua University (excerpts)Vice President Hu, thank you for your words of welcome. I am grateful for your hospitality, and honored by this reception at one of China's great universities.

Tsinghua University was founded, with the support of America, to further the ties between our two nations. I know how important this place is to the Vice President, who earned his degree here and even more important, met his gracious wife Liu Yongqing here.

I also thank the students here for this opportunity to meet with you, 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. My wife Laura and I have two daughters in college, one at Yale and the other at the University of Texas. We are proud of our daughters just like I am sure your parents are proud of you.

My visit to China comes on an important anniversary. 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, and in a spirit of mutual respect. As they left the airport that day, Premier Zhou Enlai said to President Nixon, ``Your handshake came over the vastest ocean in the world twenty-five 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 our two countries have gradually learned more about each other.

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 all the knowledge and potential right here in this room.

China is on a rising path, and America welcomes the emergence of a strong, 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, 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 the strength of American commerce, but the community spirit and contributions of those businesses are not always as visible as their monetary success.

And even more important, many of our citizens contribute their own money and time to help those in need. American compassion stretches way beyond our borders. We are the number one provider of humanitarian aid to people in need throughout the world. As for the men and women of our FBI and law enforcement, they are themselves working people who devote their lives to fighting crime and corruption.

My country certainly has its share of problems and faults; like most nations we're on a long journey toward achieving our own ideals of equality and justice. Yet there is a reason our nation shines as a beacon of hope and opportunity, a reason many throughout the world dream of coming to America.

Liberty gives our citizens many rights, yet expects them to exercise important responsibilities. We are a Nation of laws. Our courts are honest and 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. Under our law, everyone stands equal. No one is above the law, and no one is beneath it.

We have a Constitution, now two centuries old, which limits and balances the powers of the three branches of our government: judicial, legislative and executive, of which I am 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 others. An amazing number nearly half of all adults in America volunteer time every week to make their communities better by mentoring children visiting the sick caring for the elderly and helping with a thousand 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.

If you travel across America, you will find people of many different ethic backgrounds and many different faiths. We are a varied country. We are home to 2.3 million Americans of Chinese ancestry, who can be found working in the offices of our biggest companies, serving in my own Cabinet, and skating for America at the Olympics.

It was my honor to visit China in 1975, 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 will bring changes in 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. Your ancient ethic of personal and family responsibility will serve you well.

Behind China's economic success today are talented, energetic people. 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 twenty years ago, Deng Xiaoping said that China would eventually expand democratic elections all the way to the national level and 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 are no threat to public order; in fact, they make good citizens. For centuries, this country 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 of 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 am confident they will find a China that is becoming a da guo, a leading nation, at peace with the world.

Thank you and now I look forward to answering some questions.

(Agencies)

胡副主席,非常感谢您的欢迎致辞。非常感谢您在这里接待我和我的夫人劳拉。非常感谢各位对我的热情接待,很荣幸来到中国,清华大学是世界最伟大的学府之一。

我也知道清华大学对于胡副主席有着十分重要的意义,他不仅在这里获得了学位,而且是在这里与他优雅的夫人相识的。

我想同时也感谢在座的各位学生给我这个机会,跟大家见面,谈一谈我自己的国家,并且回答大家的一些问题。清华大学的治学标准和声望闻名于世,我也知道能考入这所大学也是一个成就,祝贺你们。我不知道大家是不是知道这一点,我和我的太太有两个女儿,她们像你们一样正在上大学,有一个女儿上的是德州大学,有一个女儿是上耶鲁大学,她们是双胞胎。我对我们的两个女儿倍感骄傲,我想你们的父母对你们的成就同样也是引以为荣的。

President Bush's remarks at Tsinghua University (excerpts)

我这次访华恰逢重要的周年纪念日,副主席刚才也谈到了,30年前的这一周,一个美国总统来到了中国,他的访华之旅目的是为了结束两国间长达数十年的隔阂和数百年的相互猜疑。尼克松总统向世界显示了两个迥然不同的政府能够本着相互的利益、相互的尊重来到一起。那天他们离开机场的时候,周恩来总理对尼克松总统说了这样一番话,他说你与我的握手越过了世界上最为辽阔的海洋,这个海洋就是互不交往的25年。

自从那时以来,美国和中国已经握过多次的友谊之手和商业之手。随着我们两国间接触的日益频繁,我们两国的国民也逐渐地加深了对彼此的了解,这是非常非常重要的。

曾经一度,美国人只知道中国是历史悠久的、伟大的国家,以及她的文明。今天我们仍然看到中国奉行着重视家庭、学业和荣誉的良好传统。同时,我们看到中国正日益成为世界上最富有活力和创造力的国家之一。这一点最佳的验证便是在座诸位所具备的知识和潜力。

中国正走在一个兴起的道路上,而美国欢迎一个强大、和平与繁荣的中国的出现。

我同美国人在更进一步了解中国的同时,也担心中国人不一定总是能够很清楚地看到我的国家的真实面貌,这里面有多种原因,其中有一些是我们自己造成的。我们的电影,还有电视节目,往往并没有全面反映出美国。我们成功的企业显示了美国商业的力量。但是我们的精神、我们的社区精神,还有我们相互对彼此的贡献往往并不像我们金钱方面的成功那样的显而易见。

更为重要的是,我们许多的公民主动捐出自己的金钱,自己的时间来帮助有需求的人士。美国的同情心,同时也远远超越了我们自己的国界,在人道主义援助方面,我们居于世界首位,援助世界各地的人们。至于联邦调查局和执法界的工作人员,他们自己就是劳动人民的一员,他们献身于打击犯罪,打击腐败。

我的国家毫无疑问确实有自己的一些问题和缺陷,像大部分的国家一样,我们正走在一个漫长的道路上。

自由赋予我们自己国民许多的权利,同样也要求他们有重大的责任。美国是一个法制的国家,我们的法院是独立的。我是总统,哪怕是我也不能告诉法院要如何来判案,行政部门、立法部门,任何一个成员都不可以。根据我们的法律,每个人都是自由平等的,没有任何人可以凌驾于法律之上。

我们有一部宪法,已经有二百年的历史,它限制并且平衡三个部门之间的权利,这三个部门就是司法、立法和行政机构,而我也是其中的一员。

指导我们的很多的价值观是在家庭中陶冶形成的,就像在中国一样,美国的妈妈们,爸爸们疼爱他们的孩子,为他们辛勤地劳动,作出牺牲,因为我们相信,下一代的生活总会更好,在我们的家庭中,我们可以找到关爱,可以学习如何负起责任,如何陶冶人格。

很多美国人都主动的抽出时间为其他人提供服务,有很多人每周都拿出时间为社区服务,他们辅导儿童,探访病人,照顾老人,并且帮助做许许多多的事情。这就是我的国家的一大优点。人们主动的承担起责任,帮助他人,他们的原动力就是善良的心,还有他们的信仰。

如果你去美国旅行的话,你会见到来自不同种族背景,有着不同信仰的人。我们是一个多元化、多姿多彩的国家,在那里有230万华人,他们在那里繁衍生息。在我们大公司的办公室里有华人工作,在美国政府中有华人工作,在奥林匹克比赛中代表美国参加滑冰比赛的也有华人。

我在1975年有幸访问过中国,从那以来,贵国发生了巨大的变化,中国取得了举世闻名的成就,在开放方面、在企业方面、在经济自由方面都是如此,人们从所有进步中可以看到中国有着巨大的潜力,中国已经加入了世界贸易组织。一个现代化的中国将有一个完善的法制,规范其商业活动,也保护其公民的权利。

President Bush's remarks at Tsinghua University (excerpts)
一清华大学学生向布什总统提问题

诸位,你们这一代建设新中国,需要贵国传统中博大精深的智慧。重视个人和家庭责任的古老道德传统将使诸位受益匪浅。

在中国如今经济成功的背后,有着有活力的人才。清华大学不仅在培养专家,它也是在培育公民。公民在他们国家的事务中不是袖手旁观者,他们是建设未来的参与者。

所有的这些变化,将导致中国更加强大,更加有自信,这个中国将使世界瞩目,也使世界更加丰富。这个中国就是诸位这一代人所帮助创立的中国,现在在中国的历史上是一个非常令人振奋的时刻。此时此刻,就连最宏伟的梦想也似乎唾手可得。

我的国度,对中国表示我们的尊敬,表达我们的友谊,再过六年,来自美国和世界的运动员将到贵国来参加奥林匹克比赛,我坚信, 他们能见到的中国将变成更加强大国家,一个走在世界前沿的国家,一个与世界和平相处的国家。

谢谢诸位让我到此来发言。

(中国日报网站)

 
Go to Other Sections
Related Stories
· Beer flows from house taps in Norway
水龙头里出啤酒 挪威妇女感觉"身在天堂"
· Woman sells ad rights to pregnancy on eBay
拿人体打广告 孕妇肚子拍卖广告权
· Clocks in UK's armory against problem gambling
英国放开赌博业 时钟被"邀"防赌瘾
more
 
Copyright by chinadaily.com.cn. All rights reserved

版权声明:未经中国日报网站许可,任何人不得复制本栏目内容。如需转载请与本网站联系。
None of this material may be used for any commercial or public use. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.