THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Shanghai, People's Republic of China)
|
For Immediate Release
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June 30, 1998
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REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT RECEPTION IN HIS HONOR
HOSTED BY THE MAYOR OF SHANGHAI
Shanghai Museum
Shanghai, People's Republic of China
6:40 P.M. (L)
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor, Madame Xu,
to
Museum Director Ma, ladies and gentlemen. It is a great honor for my wife
and
members of our family, six members of the United States Congress, and many
members of our Cabinet and other American citizens to be here in Shanghai
tonight.
This museum is a fitting symbol of what I have seen in
China
these last few days -- the magnificence of your ancient past and your
brilliant future.
I have seen a nation rising in its influence in the world,
with China's leadership for stability in the Asian economic crisis; and
China's leadership for peace on the Korean Peninsula and in working with us
to
help to deal with the difficulties caused by the nuclear tests by India and
Pakistan.
I have seen the Chinese people rising, millions of them,
out
of poverty; millions more finding interesting work of their own choice,
pursuing more educational opportunities, having more say in their local
affairs.
I saw a great example of that when the Mayor and I did a
talk
radio show this morning here in Shanghai. And I was especially impressed
when
one of the callers called in and said, " don't want to talk to the
President,
I want to talk to the Mayor about traffic problems in Shanghai.
(Laughter.)
Shanghai is truly the place where East meets West. Over
the
last 150 to 200 years, the West has not always been the best of partners in
Shanghai, but now we have a good partnership.
I am especially pleased that a United States firm, RTKL, will design the
new
Scienceland Museum here. I hope that is a symbol of the kinds of positive,
good things we will do together in the
future.
I also want to say a special word of appreciation to
your mayor. Mr. Mayor, I heard -- this may not be a true story,
but don't tell me if it's not -- (laughter) -- I heard that years
ago when your predecessor, Zhu Rongji, invited you to head
Shanghai's Central Planning Commission you told him you hated the
whole idea of central planning. And Zhu replied, then you're
exactly the man I want for the job. (Laughter.)
Now we see you unleashing this city's great
potential, cutting red tape, fighting corruption, protecting the
environment, spurring an artistic revival. You are making
Shanghai a place the world looks to for commerce, culture and
people of different walks of life thriving together.
Mr. Mayor, in 1996, when I asked the American people
to give me another term as President of the United States, the
theme of my campaign was, building a bridge to the 21st century.
In Shanghai, you are building that bridge to the 21st century,
and we want to build it with you.
Thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.)
