22-Feb-2002 -- EWTN News Brief CHINA'S STUDENTS PLEASED WITH BUSH FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM BUT NOT TAIWANBeijing (Fides) – Chinese students enthusiastic about what President Bush says on human rights and religious freedom, but not at all happy with his view regarding Taiwan: these were some of the reactions Fides registered at the end of the US President’s visit. On his last day in China, this morning at 10.30 local time, George W. Bush, gave a speech at Qinghua University and answered questions from students. The event was broadcast live on national television. The choice of campus was not by chance: Qinghua, with Beida, Beijing University, prepares China’s scientific and economic elite. But, even more important, Qinghua is the alma mater of deputy president Hu Jintao, whom many see as the successor of Jiang Zemin in the near future. Mr. Bush’s meeting with university students was a sort of public presentation, although not official of Jiang’s heir. Hu Jintao’s wife, Liu Yongqing is also a Qinghua graduate. In a warm and relaxed speech President Bush showed the evolvement of USA-China relations in the 30 years since the visit by Nixon, Bush spoke of certain aspects of American life which his audience found very interesting. "America – the President said – 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." Underlining the importance of a religious belief to mould society Bush told the students: "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 vie responsible lives". Mr. Bush also stressed the spontaneity and freedom with which the people of the United States acted after the September 11 events, with generous volunteers, solidarity, donations, prayers: "None of this was ordered by the government; it happened spontaneously by the initiative of a free people". Recalling the different steps of China’s progress Bush said: "Change is coming…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". Huang Huilian, a girl student at Social Communications faculty, told Fides that she and her friends were impressed by what president Bush had to say, particularly the "view of American life style, the value of religion, faith, freedom, family and equality". But she added that "his answer regarding a peaceful solution for the reunification of Taiwan was not clear". Mr. Bush, pressed by questions on US policy regarding Taiwan, confirmed his commitment for "one China" but also the need for "peaceful dialogue" between the two shores of the strait, adding: "We will help Taiwan to protect herself she is provoked". Other students said they are ‘satisfied and enthusiastic" on the whole with what the President had to say, but they noted that his answers were not always direct. More in general among the people of Beijing there is disappointment. A Beijing office worker told journalists: "The meetings yesterday with Jiang and today’s at the university, are only diplomacy. Neither Jiang nor Bush touch the country’s most urgent problem, unemployment". Beijing’s People’s Daily says that by the end of this year China’s jobless will be more than 132 million. (Fides 22/2/2002) Click here to share this news story with a friend.  |