Remarks By The President to The People of Xiahe


THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Xian, People's Republic of China)

For Immediate Release June 26, 1998


REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VILLAGE OF XIAHE

The Village of Xiahe
People's Republic of China



11:40 A.M. (L)

THE PRESIDENT: Nin men hao, Xiahe. (Applause.)Thank you, Yunlong, for your welcome. I thank all of thestudents for the greeting and for the wonderful music, and Ithank all the rest of you for making all of us in the Americandelegation feel so welcome here. (Applause.)

My wife and I are delighted to be joined by ourdaughter, my mother-in-law, and Secretary Albright, SecretaryDaley, Ambassador and Mrs. Sasser, and six members of the UnitedStates Congress -- Senator Rockefeller, Senator Baucus, SenatorAkaka, and Representatives Dingell and Hamilton and Markey --along with a number of people who work with me in the WhiteHouse. We are all very honored to be here. Thank you.(Applause.)

I understand that soon, like nearly half a millionother villages across China, you will be voting to choose yourlocal leaders. I know what it is like to run for office. I havewon elections and I have also lost two. I like winning betterthan losing, but whenever there is an election and the peopledecide, everyone wins. (Applause.)

I have come to China to strengthen the ties betweenour two nations. Over the past 25 years, your country haslaunched a remarkable period of change, and today most Chinese,including the members of this village, enjoy a higher standard ofliving than at any time in China's history.

Here, by using better farming techniques, you havefreed up time and money for other projects, like your brickfactory, your construction crews, your handicrafts. Your villagehas sponsored language classes in English and Japanese to helpyou in dealing with foreign tourists. Today, your villagecommittee owns a dozen businesses, with 300 hardworking peoplenow able to provide for their families. Many of you have opened

your own businesses, and in only 15 years, average income herehas grown 17 times. I congratulate you.

I also appreciate the fact that you have investedmoney back into your community in better schools, in betterroads, in installing cable television to bring the world intoyour homes. Your achievements are a window for all the world tosee what local democracy has brought to China and what a brighterfuture you are building for the children here with us today.(Applause.)

We Americans respect your devotion to family, toeducation, to work, your respect for the land, and for yourheritage. And we hope you will reap the fruits of your labor formany years to come. (Applause.)

Thank you again for making us all feel so welcomehere in Xiahe. Thank you. Xie xie. (Applause.)



China Trip Speeches - June 26, 1998

Remarks In Discussion With Villagers & Area Residents

Remarks to The People of Xiahe

Remarks By The President To Phe Tool


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