Cox & Forkum

Bush: As the relationship between our two nations grows and matures, we can be candid about our disagreements. I'll continue to discuss with President Hu the importance of respecting human rights and freedoms of the Chinese people. China has become successful because the Chinese people are experience the freedom to buy, and to sell, and to produce -- and China can grow even more successful by allowing the Chinese people the freedom to assemble, to speak freely, and to worship.

But most of all, the speech was notable for what was not in it. There were no further specific steps in it, which disappointed people interested in some specific issues. But there was also no grievance or sense of injury in it. There was no admonishment in it. There was no Marxism in it, nor any argument to treat China differently because it is poor.
Hu wants China to be treated as an equal. There was an endorsement of "our free-trade regime," a call for the free flow of investment and a gentle reminder to keep politics out of economic decisions.
And there was a very clear thank-you to those who took an interest in his country and pushed open the door.