International allies
It's worth noting that we have had a full partnership with Russia and other nations in the development and operation of the Space Station. While the process has been rocky at points, and some will argue that maybe it would have been easier and cheaper to go it on our own, the partnership is there, and we do have a manned (barely) Space Station in orbit. And we would certainly be in deep yogurt right now without Russian space vehicles to rely on in a pinch.
Do you have a link for Bush's remarks on China and space? I didn't hear about that.