Bush returns after 6-day, 3-country trip

The Bushes visited the Great Wall of China, a traditional destination for visiting U.S. presidents, before leaving Friday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush returned to Washington on Friday after concluding a six-day tour of Japan, South Korea and China that was one of the most ambitious diplomatic missions of his year-old presidency.

It was an eventful week for Bush: He urged greater openness in China; pledged support for diplomatic efforts meant to bring North and South Korea closer together despite his distaste for North Korea's regime; and praised the U.S.-Japan alliance as the "bedrock" of peace in the Pacific.

"I think it was a successful trip. The president made the basic point of his strategy and of his concerns in a number of countries," former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger told CNN on Friday morning.

Kissinger said his impression was that the conversations with the Chinese were "quite constructive" and that "progress has been made."

However, some analysts were more critical. One Chinese political scientist said the summit showcased a lot of friendly rhetoric, but there were no breakthroughs. Diplomatic analysts noted there were no agreements on arms non-proliferation or on Beijing's release of imprisoned dissidents or underground religious figures.

On the last day of the trip, Bush addressed students and faculty at Beijing's Tsinghua University. In the speech, the president defended American values, saying they have much to offer as a model for the Chinese people as their country develops.

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"Those who fear freedom sometimes argue that it could lead to chaos -- but it does not, because freedom means more than every man for himself," Bush said. "Life in America shows that liberty, paired with law, is not to be feared."

Bush arrived back in Washington on Friday afternoon after a 13-hour flight home. He planned to spend the weekend at the White House with first lady Laura Bush.

Highlights of Bush's trip included:

Bush's speech at Tsinghua University was broadcast live across China on the final day of his trip, and it appeared that his comments were not edited by Chinese censors. During past speeches by U.S. leaders visiting China, Beijing often edited out remarks on such issues as human rights and religious freedom.

"Change is coming," Bush said. "China is already having secret ballot and competitive elections at the local level. Nearly 20 years ago, Deng Xiaoping said that China would eventually expand democratic elections all the way to the national level -- and I look forward to that day."

Bush's visit to China fell on the 30th anniversary of the groundbreaking visit by President Richard Nixon. Following a tradition taken up by other U.S. presidents who have visited China since Nixon's 1972 trip, Bush and the first lady visited the Great Wall of China before flying back to Washington.