Clinton to China: 'Human rights are universal'

Clinton speaks at Beijing University

Latest developments:

• Students lukewarm to Clinton's answers
• U.S., China 'better off working together'
• Last-minute decision to broadcast speech
• Students' questions, presidential answers
• Dissidents released, group says
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BEIJING (CNN) -- U.S. President Bill Clinton asserted Monday that human rights "are the birthrights of people everywhere" in a speech to China's emerging generation at Beijing University.

RELATED VIDEO President Clinton's full speech at Beijing University Netshow 28K 56K

In a lively question-and-answer forum, the mostly pro-Beijing students challenged Clinton with aggressive questions about America's own human rights record and national security policies.

Asked if he was hiding a secret agenda to contain China "behind his smile," Clinton said the United States is sincere in its desire for a partnership with China.

"Do I really want to contain China? The answer is no," he said.

"I believe it would be far better for the people of the United States to have a partnership on equal respectful terms with China in the 21st century than to have to spend enormous amounts of time and money trying to contain China, because we disagree with what's going on beyond our borders. I do not want that. I am not hiding another design behind a smile," Clinton said to roaring applause from the packed auditorium.

Clinton spoke frankly to the students, often resting his chin on his left hand as he contemplated their questions. One student asked if there weren't problems in the United States about freedom, democracy and human rights.

The American leader acknowledged the United States is troubled by racial discrimination, violence and too much crime.

"Our country has had terrible problems in this area," he said. "We are still not perfect. I always say that."

After finishing his response, Clinton nodded to the student and said, "That's a good question."

Students lukewarm to Clinton's answers

Clinton told the students and faculty in attendance that the United States did not want to impose its vision on other nations. "But we are convinced that certain rights are universal," he said.

The speech was broadcast live on Chinese television.

"I believe that everywhere, people aspire to be treated with dignity ... to give voice to their opinions ... to choose their own leaders ... to associate with whom they wish ... to worship, how when and where they want," Clinton said.

"These are not American rights or European rights or developed world rights," he said. "They are the birthrights of people everywhere."

Outside the auditorium, some students sharply disagreed with Clinton.

Zhang Yun, a junior who listened to the remarks on a small radio, said Clinton's arguments about human rights "do not suit the conditions in today's China. His understanding of China is not very deep or complete."

Wang Xushi, a 20-year-old computer major, said he and his classmates had been discussing Clinton's visit in their dormitories. "We can't go in one step from a stable socialist country to everyone having freedom of speech, freedom of assembly. It would lead to chaos. We need to go slowly, stably," Wang said.

The auditorium at Beijing University was filled

Clinton told the audience, chosen by a lottery, that some people in America and China question whether closer relations between the two countries are worthwhile.

"But everything we know about the way the world is changing and the challenges your generation will face tell us that our two nations will be better off working together than apart," Clinton said.

Clinton said China is facing a new dawn in its history.

"It can be a time when the oldest of nations helps to make a new world," he said. "The United States wants to work with you to make that time a reality."

Beijing University, founded in 1898, has 24,000 undergraduates and is closely monitored by the government because of its history as a center of liberal thinking.

The school produced many of the students who were the driving force behind the 1989 pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square.

China Central Television (CCTV) broadcast Clinton's speech. An official at CCTV said the decision to carry the speech live was made shortly before Clinton was scheduled to start speaking at Beijing University.

U.S. officials were delighted by the government's openness, which they said was unprecedented during a visit by another nation's leader. Clinton's news conference on Saturday with Chinese President Jiang Zemin also was broadcast live in China.

Students were able to ask questions of Clinton

In response to a student question about U.S. policy about Taiwan, Clinton said the United States had adopted a one-China policy nearly 20 years ago and that any weapons sales to Taiwan are for defensive purposes only.

"We can't see the agreements today through the mirror of yesterday's conflicts," Clinton said.

Clinton also said economic security is an essential element of freedom, but that true freedom means more than economic opportunity.

"We believe, and our experience demonstrates, that freedom strengthens stability," the president said. "In the global information age, freedom is a powerful engine of progress."

He noted that China has undergone dramatic changes. "Most Chinese people are leading lives they could not have imagined just 20 years ago," he said.

He also said that China and the United States are pursuing a common strategy to avoid further nuclear testing by India and Pakistan.

"We can accomplish so much standing together rather than walking apart," he said.

But China is still grappling with political change. All four dissidents detained in Xian, the first city on Clinton's trip, have been released, according to a human rights group.

An activist in Shanghai, where Clinton heads Monday after his speech, was made to leave the city ahead of Clinton's arrival, the Information Center of Human Rights and Democratic Movement in China said.

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