Heir-apparent Hu warned of U.S. 'tricks'

Hu's welcoming in the U.S. has not been entirely warm

(CNN) -- Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao has been warned against "tricks and mischief" from the Americans as he readies to meet President George W. Bush and other senior officials in Washington Wednesday.

Apart from Bush, Hu is due to have sessions with Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and congressional leaders.

A Chinese source in Beijing said Hu, 59, had been told to be prepared for hostile questions on human rights and other sensitive issues from his hosts, particularly members of Congress.

At this stage no provisions have been made for Hu to meet the U.S. media.

However, it is understood his entourage is prepared for unexpected situations such as Hu being surprised by American TV cameras.

"Hu understands his U.S. hosts may try to use meetings with him to influence domestic Chinese politics," the source said.

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"For example, if Bush were to spend a longer-than-expected session with Hu, [President] Jiang Zemin may not be happy -- and this will cause friction between the two Chinese leaders."

After Hu's tour of Europe last October, Jiang was reportedly unhappy that a few European countries had given his heir-apparent the level of protocol fit for a head of state.

Minimal coverage

Official television in Beijing has under-played Hu's activities in the U.S., giving them just a bare mention.

Western diplomats in China and the U.S. said while in Washington, Hu would firmly reiterate China's views particularly on tricky areas such as Washington's growing ties with Taiwan.

However, the diplomats said, while Hu would politely lay out Beijing's differences with Washington, he would desist from high-decibel condemnation of America's policy on Taiwan or the Middle East.

Moreover, Hu's strategy is to demonstrate good will and friendship toward a broad spectrum of the American public.

While addressing business leaders in New York over the weekend, Hu steered clear of politics and praised the businessmen for their foresight in investing in China.

The official China News Service quoted Hu as saying American companies "can certainly win their just share of the [China] market."