President Bush and President Bush open new U.S. Embassy in Beijing
The father-and-son team of former President George H.W. Bush and President George W. Bush dedicated the new U.S. Embassy in Beijing on Friday morning — and even that ribbon-cutting event did not entirely avoid the controversy that has marked the president's visit to the Olympics.
It was the current president's first formal event since arriving in China on Thursday evening, and he slipped in an oh-so-gently-worded reminder of the differences between the United States and his hosts over human rights, even as he suggested that they agree on the sensitive subject.
The question of human rights — and whether by attending the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games on Friday evening he was giving Beijing a pass — has dogged the president's trip to Asia since it began Tuesday.
He has defended his decision to attend the Games — in which the Chinese government has put huge political stock — as one built on his support for the American athletes. International politics and athletic competition can be kept apart, he has said.
And, as C2C noted a little while ago, he scheduled the dedication with a nod to Chinese tradition, which considers eight the luckiest number: It began at 8:08 a.m. on the eighth day of the eighth month of the year '08.
But nonetheless, on what is U.S. diplomatic turf in the heart of the Chinese capital, the president used the dedication of the embassy ...
... as an opportunity to address human rights.
To be sure, he went through a litany of areas in which China, "an ancient civilization with a grand history," had excelled.
He noted, too, U.S.-Chinese history. A key figure in that relationship, Henry A. Kissinger, was in attendance. As secretary of State, Kissinger arranged President Nixon's historic 1972 visit to China; and Kissinger was instrumental in sending George H.W. Bush to China 34 years ago to open the first U.S. liaison office in Beijing, before a U.S. Embassy had been established.
President Bush also noted that "the Chinese are even said to have invented the parachute — something for which the 41st president is very grateful." (Under fire in World War II, his father parachuted from a plane over the Pacific Ocean, and he has made a point of jumping out of planes every five years to celebrate milestone birthdays.)
But recognition of such moments in history concluded with a reference, almost in passing, to the issues of the moment, couched in diplomatic language.
"The relationship between our nations is constructive and cooperative and candid," President Bush said, with the word "candid" a giveaway as to what would come next:
We'll continue to be candid about our mutual global responsibilities. We must work together to protect the environment and help people in the developing world; continue to be candid about our belief that all people should have the freedom to say what they think and worship as they choose. We strongly believe societies which allow the free expression of ideas tend to be the most prosperous and the most peaceful.
"Candor is most effective where nations have built a relationship of respect and trust. I've worked hard to build that respect and trust," Bush said, adding a softening nod of thanks to his Chinese counterparts. "I appreciate the Chinese leadership that have worked hard to build that respect and trust."
— James Gerstenzang
Photo: Gerald Herbert / Associated Press
