On the morning of February 22, 2002, Vice President Hu Jintao accompanied visiting U.S. President George Bush who went to Qinghua University to deliver a speech. Prior to Bush’s speech, Hu first extended welcome to Bush on his visit to China and his trip to Qinghua University where he would deliver a speech.

In his speech, Hu said he is happy to be back to his alma mater and join the teachers and students of Qinghua in welcoming President Bush, a distinguished guest who has come all the way from the other side of the Pacific Ocean. He noted that Bush's visit coincides with the 30th anniversary of President Richard Nixon's visit to China and the issuance of the China-U.S. Shanghai Communiqué, adding that thirty years are just a moment in human history, but the great changes that have occurred during the period in the Sino-U.S. relations will go down in history.

Hu said that President Jiang Zemin and President Bush had an in-depth exchange of views on Sino-U.S. relations and the international situation, reached many common understandings and achieved positive results in many areas. He added that the successful meeting between the two heads of states will surely have a far-reaching impact on the further development of Sino-U.S. constructive relationship of cooperation.

Hu said China and the United States are both great countries, and the two peoples great peoples, noting that the development of the international situation has repeatedly demonstrated that China and the United States shoulder important responsibilities and have extensive common interests in safeguarding peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world as a whole, promoting regional and global economic growth and prosperity, fighting against terrorism and other cross-border crimes, and addressing environmental deterioration and other global problems. He said that Sino-U.S. friendship conforms to the wish of the two peoples and the trend of the times, adding that as long as the two sides respect each other, treat each other as equals, seek common ground while reserving differences, Sino-U.S. relations will be able to develop in a healthy and smooth way.

Hu said that young people are the hope of the country, the future of the world and the fresh force pushing forward Sino-U.S. friendship. He expressed the hope that young people in the two countries will increase exchanges, enhance friendship, learn from each other, and work together to promote peace, progress and development of the world.

In his speech, Bush reviewed the development of Sino-US relations, pointing out that the meeting between the leaders of the two countries 30 years ago put an end to the state of estrangement that lasted several decades and laid the foundation for the contacts and cooperation between the two countries. He noted that great changes have taken place in China since his first visit to China in 1975 and China is becoming one of the most dynamic and the most creative countries in the world. H added that China is on the rise and the United States welcomes a stronger and more prosperous China. He also introduced the relationship among the legislative, judicial and administrative branches of the United States. He talked about his own views on family, religious belief, immigration, combating terrorism and other issues. He expressed the hope that the two countries will intensify their educational and cultural exchanges and cooperation, and in particular, the exchanges and cooperation between Qinghua University and the US universities. Following his speech, Bush answered questions put by the students of Qinghua.