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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 Chris
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tianity, 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 Daguo, a leading nation, at peace with its people and at peace with the world.
Thank you for letting me here.
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，我是行政机构的一员，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，做出牺牲，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。很多美国人都抽出时间为其他人服务，成年中的一半人每周都拿出时间，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。这就是我的国家的一大优点。我们主动承担起责任，帮助他们，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。
诸位，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。在不久的将来，这些人无论是男是女，将在这个政府中发挥积极和全面的作用。清华大学它不仅在培养专家，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，对中国提出尊敬和友谊，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，他们能够见到的中国将是正在变成一个大国的中国，一个走在世界前沿的国家，一个与其人民无争，与世界和平相处的中国。
谢谢诸位让我来此演讲。（完）
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