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. Some of the erroneous pictures of America are painted by others. My friend, the Ambassador to China, tells me that some Chinese textbooks talk of Americans "bullying the weak and repressing the poor." Another Chinese textbook,published just last year, teaches that special agents of the FBI are used to "repress the working people."
Neither of these is true and while the books may be leftovers from a previous era, they are misleading and harmful. In fact, Americans feel a special responsibility for the poor and the
weak. 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 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.
We are a free nation, where men and women have the opportunity to achieve their dreams. No matter your background or circumstance of birth, in America you can get a good education, start a business, raise a family, worship freely and help elect the leaders of your community and country. You can support the policies of our government, or you are 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, the Statue of Liberty, was designed with great care. As you look closely, you will see that she is holding not one object, but two. In one hand is the familiar torch, the light of liberty. In the other is a book of law.
We are a Nation of laws. Our courts are honest and independent. The President 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.
All political power in America is limited and temporary, and only given by a free vote of the people. 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.
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. America is a nation guided by faith. Someone once called us "a nation with the soul of a church." Ninety-five percent of Americans say they believe in God, and I'm one of them.
When I met with President Jiang Zemin in Shanghai a few months ago, I told him how faith has shaped my own 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 but to be welcomed, because faith gives us a moral core and teaches us to hold ourselves to high standards, to love and serve others, and to live responsible lives. 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. Every immigrant, by taking an oath of allegiance to our country, becomes just as much an American as the President of the United States.
America shows that a society can be vast and varied, and yet still one country, commanding the allegiance and love of its people.
All of these qualities of America were vividly displayed on a single day, September 11th, when terrorists attacked America. American policemen and firefighters, by the hundreds, ran into burning towers in the desperate hope of saving other lives. Volunteers came from everywhere to help with the rescue efforts. Americans donated blood, and gave money to help the families of victims. People went to prayer services all over America, and raised flags to show their pride and unity. None of this was ordered by the government; it happened spontaneously, by the initiative of a 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, 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. The lure of materialism 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, energetic people. In the near future, these 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 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 its people and at peace with the world.
Thank you and now I look forward to answering some questions.
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(注：由于布什总统在讲演中临时发挥，故英文原文同中文译稿稍有出入。)
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夫人劳拉。劳拉和我们的国务卿鲍威尔在一起。我也看到我的助理赖斯女士，她曾经是斯坦福大学的教务长，因此她回到像清华这样的校园是再合适不过了。非常感谢各位对我的热情接待，很荣幸能够来到中国，来到世界上最了不起的学府之一清华。这所大学恰好是在美国的帮助下成立的，成立的目标是为了推动我们两国间的关系。我也知道清华大学对于胡锦涛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。我同时感谢在座的各位学生给我这个跟大家见面的机会，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誉闻名于世，我也知道能考入这所大学本身是一个很大的成就。祝贺你们。 我和我的太太有两个女儿，像你们一样正在上大学，一个女儿在德州大学，另外一个在耶鲁大学。她们是双胞胎。我们对两个女儿倍感骄傲，我想你们的父母对你们也是同样的引以为荣。我这次访华恰逢一个重要的周年纪念，刚才副主席也提到了这一点。三十年前的这个星期，一位美国总统来到中国，他的访华之旅结束了长达数十年的隔阂和长达数百年的相互猜疑。尼克松总统向全世界显示，两个截然不同的国家可以在相互利益的基础上，本着相互尊重的精神站在一起。当他离开机场的时候，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辽阔的海洋，这个海洋就是互不交往的25年。 从那时以后的30多年里，美国和中国已经握过多次的友谊之手和商业之手。
随着两国间接触的日益频繁，两国的国民也逐渐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一个历史悠久的伟大国家，有伟大的文明。今天，我们看到中国仍在奉行重视家庭、学业和荣誉的优良的传统，中国正在日益成为世界上最富活力和最富创造力的社会之一，在座的各位所具备的知识和潜力是最好的说明。中国正在强大起来，而美国欢迎一个强大的、和平与繁荣的中国的出现。
在美国人进一步了解中国的同时，我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我所知道的美国。我们成功的企业显示了美国的商业力量。我们的精神、我们的社区精神，还有我们对彼此的帮助，往往并不像我们在金钱方面的成功那样显而易见。
但是对美国的一些不正确的描述也来自外部世界。我的朋友、美国驻华大使告诉我，中国的一些教科书说，“美国人欺负弱者，压制穷人。”另外，去年出版的一本教科书教育学生说，联邦调查局是被用来“压迫工人的”。这些都不是正确的。这些话可能是以前遗留下来的，但是会误导人们对美国的认识。 实际上，美国人觉得对穷人和弱者有一种特别的责任。美国政府拿出数千亿美元，为他们提供医疗保健、食品和住房。更为重要的是，我们的许多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。美国的同情心远远超越了自己的国界，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人员，他们也是劳动人民的一员，他们献身于打击犯罪，打击腐败。
我们的国家也和其他国家一样有问题，这是毫无疑问的。也和大多数国家一样有我们的缺点。我们正在一条漫长的道路上，按照自己的理念努力营造一个平等公正的国家。但是美国被认为是世界上最具希望和发展机会的国家，全世界的许多人都梦想到美国来。这是因为美国是一个自由的国家，人们享有实现梦想的同等机会。不论你的背景如何，不论你出生在什么地方，在美国你都可以受到很好的教育，开办企业，建立家庭，信仰自由，帮助选出社区和国家的领导人。你可以支持政府的政策，你也可以自由的反对这些政策。那些害怕自由的人有时争辩说，这样会引起混乱，但是这是不会的，因为自由意味着每个人不只为自己。
自由使我们的人民有很多权力，但是同时人们也必须负起他们的重要责任。自由的方向和目的受到道德的引导，这体现在坚实的家庭、社区和教会，并受到牢固和公正司法体系的监督。
对于世界来说，美国最伟大的象征是自由女神。自由女神是经过精心设计的。不知道你们看到过没有。如果仔细看的话，你会发现，女神手持两样东西，而不是一个。她的一只手高举着自由明灯，另一只手拿的是法典。
美国是一个法制国家，我们的法庭是公正和诚实的。我作为总统不可能告诉法庭应该做出什么裁决，而且行政当局的任何官员和立法人员也都不可以这样做。根据我们的宪法，每个人都是平等的，没有人可以置于法律之上，也没有人不受到法律的保护。美国所有的政治权力都不是无限的和永久的，权力只能通过公民自由选举产生。我们有一部宪法，已经有两百年的历史，它限制和平衡三个权力机构之间的权利，这三个权力机构是司法、立法和行政当局。我就是行政机构的一员。
指导我们的很多价值观是在家庭中形成的，就像中国一样。美国的妈妈和爸爸们疼爱自己的孩子，为他们辛勤地劳动，作出牺牲，因为我们相信，下一代的生活一定会更好。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。
很多美国人都抽出时间为其他人服务，几乎一半的成年人每周都抽出时间，使得他们的社区办得更好，他们辅导儿童，探访病人，照顾老人，并且帮助做许许多多数不胜数的事情。这是我们国家的一大优势。人们主动承担起责任，主动帮助别人。他们这样做是出于善良的心和信仰。
美国是在信仰指导下的国家，一些人曾经称美国是“一个具有教会精神的国家”。你们对这种说法可能感兴趣。95%的美国人信仰上帝，我就是其中之一。
几个月前，当我在上海见到江泽民主席的时候，我很荣幸有机会向他讲述了信仰是如何改变我的生活，以及如何改变美国的。信仰指出，在人类的法律之外还有一个道德法律，在物质之外还有更高的责任。不应该害怕宗教自由，而是应该欢迎，因为信仰让我们有了道德核心，教育我们要按照更高的标准，爱戴和服务他人，并更加负责。
如果你去美国旅行的话，如果你从来没有到过美国的话，希望你们有一天能够到美国来，你会见到来自不同种族背景和有着不同信仰的人。我们是一个多元化、多姿多彩的国家，在那里有230万的华人。在我们大公司的办公室里、在总统内阁里、在美国奥林匹克滑冰代表队中都有华人。 每一个移民只要宣誓效忠美国，就可以和美国总统一样成为美国公民。美国显示，一个社会可以是多元，但仍然是一个国家，仍然可以要求公民效忠国家和爱自己的国民。
美国的所有这些品德都在9月11号恐怖份子袭击美国的这一天生动地表现出来。数百名警察和消防队员冲进世贸大楼，希望能够抢救他人的生命。来自全国各地的自愿工作者来到纽约，帮助抢救工作。美国人捐血、捐钱，帮助受害者家属。美国各地的人们参加各种祈祷活动，手举国旗，对自己的国家感到骄傲，并显示团结。这些都不是政府组织的，是自由人民的自发行动。
美国的生活显示，在法律伴随下的自由是没有什么可怕的。在一个自由社会里，分歧不是混乱，辩论不是冲突，不同意见不是革命。自由社会相信自己的人民会把自己，也把自己的国家变得更加伟大。 我很荣幸能够在19xx年访问中国。你们中的很多人当时还没有出生。从那时到现在中国发生了很大得变化。中国在开放、企业精神、经济自由等方面都取得了惊人的进步，这些进步初显了中国伟大的潜在力。 中国加入了世贸组织，只要中国遵守世贸组织的规定，就会对中国的法律体系带来变化。一个现代化的中国将会通过法律指导商业活动，保障人民权利。
新中国正在成长，建设新中国需要中国人悠久传统的智慧。我们的国家和许多其他成功的国家都面临物质的诱惑，重视个人和家庭责任的古老道德传统将使中国受益匪浅。
在中国如今经济成功的背后，有着朝气蓬勃的人才。在不久的将来，这些人将在这个政府中发挥积极和全面的作用。清华大学不仅在培养技术专家，同时也在培育公民。这些公民不是国家事务的袖手旁观者，而是未来建设的参与者。
中国正在发生变化，地方政府已经在举行不记名投票的地方选举。将近二十年前，中国伟大的领导人邓小平曾经说过，中国最终要把民主选举扩大到中央一级。我盼望看到这一天的到来。
今天成千上万的中国人在重新学习佛教、道教和当地的宗教传统，或者在信仰基督教、伊斯兰教和其他宗教。不论人们在什么地方，以什么方式从事宗教活动，都不会对社会构成威胁。实际上，他们会成为优秀公民。几个世纪以来，中国一直是一个容忍宗教的国家。我在这里祈祷，停止一切迫害，让所有中国人都能够按照自己的意愿，自由地从事宗教活动。
所有的这些变化将导致中国更加强大，更有自信，一个将使世界瞩目，也使世界更加丰富的中国。这样的中国就是你们这一代人帮助创立的。中国现在正处在一个历史上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。
美国尊敬中国，并向中国伸出友谊之手。再过六年，美国和世界各国的运动员将到贵国参加奥林匹克运动会。我坚信，他们见到的中国将是正在变成一个大国，一个内部和平稳定，并与世界和平相处的中国。 谢谢。我现在期待你们提出的问题。