By Li Han

Staff Writer of the Tsinghua News Center

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger visited Tsinghua Nov. 16 and gave a speech that carried a powerful theme: Follow your dreams. 

At least an hour before the speech, the lecture hall in the main building was packed with excited students, who greeted the former movie star and current California governor with warm applause as he made his entrance.

“Today I want to talk about your dreams for the future and the future of China,” Mr. Schwarzenegger said. “I want to talk to you about your dreams. . . because I feel like an authority on that subject since my dreams came true.”

Mr. Schwarzenegger shared his experiences of becoming successful and encouraged the students to work hard, set no limits, and remain determined in the face of obstacles. “My young friends keep your dreams,” he told the rapt audience. “Don’t give up on them--even when you are temporarily defeated or denied.” 

He also said he believed China-U.S. economic relations will become even closer in the coming years. 

Mr. Schwarzenegger answered several questions from students after the speech.

Tsinghua President Gu Binglin met with Mr. Schwarzenegger prior to the speech, giving an outline of the university’s education and history. The two also exchanged ideas on the “10+10 Alliance,” a new model for strengthening collaborations between the University of California and Chinese universities.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was born in Austria in 1947. He was sworn in as the 38th Governor of California on November 17, 2003.