Chinese President in Chicago [Archive]

Criminal

10-22-2002, 10:47 PM

Originally posted by Kraw

why could it be his last visit?

what is he in town for? I meet the Prince of some nation one time and another king/pres of another nation... all at the airport. You feel all weird around them, even though they are froma country the size of a State here
Here is the complete story from the Tribune. It did not explain in the rest of the story why it would be his last visit.

Chinese president begins U.S. trip in Chicago

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Chinese President Jiang Zemin greets the crowd today at O'Hare International Airport. (Tribune photo by Charles Osgood)
October 22, 2002

By Andrew Buchanan
Associated Press Writer
Published October 22, 2002, 3:27 PM CDT

Chinese President Jiang Zemin began what could be his final visit to the United States as China's head of state today saying he hoped the trip would boost Sino-U.S. relations and "deepen the mutual understanding and trust" between the two nations.

Jiang was to attend a banquet hosted by the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations before heading to Texas to visit President Bush at his ranch. He was then to take part in a conference of Asian-Pacific economic leaders in Mexico.

The 76-year-old leader is believed to be preparing to step down as Communist Party leader in November, and his term as president ends next year.

"I am convinced with the joint effort of both sides, this visit will deepen the mutual understanding and trust, expand the exchanges and cooperation between our two countries and enhance further development of the constructive and cooperative relations between China and the U.S." Jiang said in a statement released after his arrival at O'Hare International Airport.

He was greeted by members of Chicago's Chinese-American community, many waving Chinese flags, as well as local business and civic leaders.

"Recent years have witnessed closer trade and economic exchanges between Chicago and China, which have played their own role in promoting the development in Sino-U.S. relations," Jiang said in his statement.

Jiang's visit to the Bush ranch in Crawford, Texas, has been promoted by both sides as a chance to improve ties and discuss key issues — including U.S. irritation at China's large trade surplus and hopes for increased military-to-military contacts. Taiwan will also probably come up. The United States supports Taiwan, which Beijing considers sovereign territory.

Jiang said he expected to have "an in-depth exchange of views with (President Bush) on bilateral relations and other issues of common interest."

Bush says he wants to solicit Jiang's support following North Korea's disclosure last week that it has a nuclear weapons development program, breaching a 1994 agreement with the United States.

China is North Korea's last major ally, though Beijing's push toward a more open economy in recent years has widened the cultural and economic divide between the two countries.

David Shambaugh, a professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University and director of the school's China Policy Program, said other topics of discussion could be the United States' confrontation with Iraq and human rights, specifically religious freedoms.

Shambaugh said Jiang has worked to promote China-U.S. relations, often overruling others who favored a more confrontational approach.

"He's been a moderating force and will be duly rewarded with a slap on the back and a barbecue," Shambaugh said.