US President George W. Bush expressed confidence Saturday that China's future will reflect "the universal aspirations of mankind," despite criticism of a lack of freedom in the world' most populous country.
"The China of the future will reflect its own culture and traditions, but it will also reflect the universal aspirations of mankind — and there's no deeper human desire than liberty," Bush said in his weekly radio address.
"Only China can decide what course it will follow, but I'm optimistic about the prospects," the US president pointed out. "Young people who grow up with freedom in one area of their lives will ultimately demand freedom in other areas."
Bush is in Beijing where he watched the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on Friday.
The president said that he had made clear to Chinese leaders that trusting their people with greater freedom is necessary for China to reach its full potential.
"We've emphasized that being a global economic leader carries with it the duty to act responsibly on matters from energy to the environment to development in Africa," Bush said.
