Week of October 25, 2002The U.S. and China This Week
US-CHINA RELATIONS: Jiang arrives in USPresident Jiang Zemin arrived in Chicago on Wednesday for what is most likely his last visit to the US as President. Jiang was greeted at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport by a US Navy brass band and about 1,000 onlookers, waving Chinese flags and welcoming Jiang to the US. His arrival was free of protests, however demonstrators congregated outside his hotel demanding greater religious freedom and a free Tibet. Shortly after his arrival, Jiang attended a dinner with prominent politicians and business leaders. At the dinner, Jiang commented on his upcoming summit with Bush saying, "I look forward to my visit with President Bush to exchange views on serious and important subjects…to help move forward our cooperative relationship." Jiang left Chicago on Wednesday for Texas, where he will stop
in Houston and Waco before meeting with President Bush at his ranch in Crawford
on Friday. Only ninety minutes have been scheduled for serious talks between
the two leaders, but Chinese media hail the reception as being at the "the
highest level." Topics likely to be discussed during the meeting include:
a UN resolution on Iraq, reaction to developments in North Korea, and the
possibility of reestablishing military exchanges. China will also expect Bush
to reaffirm America's support for "one China." Other activities
planed for the meeting include a barbeque and cruise on the ranch's lake.
INTERNATIONAL: Falun Gong supporters sue Jiang in US courtAccusing President Jiang Zemin of committing genocide and torture, Falun Gong supporters have sued Jiang in US federal court. A notice of the lawsuit was delivered to the President's guards this Wednesday at his hotel in Chicago. The lawsuit was filed last week, but was kept sealed by the Judge, allowing the plaintiffs to deliver the court papers when Jiang arrived in the US on Wednesday. Lawyer Terri E. Marsh said the lawsuit was filed under a US law allowing for claims against foreigners accused of human rights violations or other breaches of international law. The lawsuit asked for unspecified financial damages and a prohibition of future abuses. The press office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry reported that it had not heard of the lawsuit and could not confirm whether President Jiang had received the court papers.
US-CHINA RELATIONS: FBI office to be established in BeijingThe United States and China have agreed to set up a legal attaché
office for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Beijing. The agreement is
being hailed as a breakthrough in bilateral cooperation against transnational
crimes and terrorism, and will likely improve the atmosphere of the Bush-Jiang
summit. U.S. Attorney General Richard Aschcroft announced the decision during
a diplomatic visit to China this week. The office is charged with seeking
Chinese help to combat terrorism. "That's our highest priority in American
law enforcement, and I am pleased to say that I've found a very, very strong
note of agreement about the importance of curtailing terrorist activity here
among the leaders with whom I have meetings," Ashcroft said. Tony Lau,
a twenty-year FBI veteran and Chinese-American, will head the office.
Last updated: 17 January 2001 |
