According to recent news reports, China is getting nervous about
the protests planned in the United States during the upcoming visit
of president Jiang Zemin to Washington and other U.S. cities.
On 10 October, Chinese Foreign Minstry spokesman Shen Guofang
stated that: "Washington must take action to ensure
demonstrations do not spoil this month's state visit by President
Jiang Zemin." He warned that US officials must ensure President
Jiang had a "wonderful" time during a tour that is
expected to include stops in seven cities.
In preparation for the trip, the Chinese have waged a slick public
relations campaign, trying to create a moderate image. As part of
this campaign, President Jiang granted an interview with the
Washington Post. As is customary, the Post put the article on its
Internet edition. What happened then, is described in this hilarious
article
in the St. Petersburg Times.
In Washington Mr. Jiang will be greeted by thousands of protesters
from US-based human rights groups, Tibetan exiles and the
Taiwanese-American community.
A protest rally will be held on October 29th outside the White
House when President Bill Clinton hosts Mr Jiang at a state dinner.
International Campaign for Tibet spokesman Bhuchung Tsering said it
would be a robust protest. Christine Haenn, of Amnesty
International, said at least 1,000 people were expected to crowd
into Lafayette Park, including US actor Richard Gere, a student of
the Dalai Lama. Gere's new film, Red Corner, about an American
caught in the Chinese legal system, will premiere in Washington the
week before the summit.
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