 |
Jiang looks to burnish image at U.S. summit
October 27, 1997
Web posted at: 4:59 p.m. EST (2159 GMT)
BEIJING (CNN) -- Jiang Zemin comes to the United States at the peak of his power. He has titles, he has political strength and he has solid achievements behind him.
But the prestige of a summit with the world's most powerful country has eluded him until now, and it is not something he takes lightly. He comes not quite as a petitioner -- although there are things he wants from the United States -- but neither has he enjoyed a prominence on the world stage equal to that of President Clinton.
"To acquire respect from the United States is a huge political asset to any Chinese leader," says Kenneth Lieberthal of the University of Michigan. "To manage that relationship well shows you can deal with things on a world level, that you can go right to the top and handle yourself with dignity."
Of his eight years in leadership, 1997 has been one of Jiang's most memorable.
It began with the death in February of his patron, Deng Xiaoping. In the summer, there was the much anticipated return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty. Finally this fall, Jiang led a major Communist Party congress at which he launched a major economic restructuring that sends China down the road toward a free-market economy.
In the process, Jiang succeeded in further consolidating his base of power.
Hopes to keep Taiwan out of U.N.
If the summit is to go smoothly -- from Jiang's point of view, at least -- he must secure President Clinton's reassurance that the United States does not support Taiwan's desire to achieve recognition as a sovereign country by entering the United Nations.
He will also try to persuade the United States to cut back on the sale of weapons, particularly advanced weapons, to Taiwan.
Says China scholar Tao Wenzhao, "When we review the history of Sino-American relations since the first visit -- I mean President Nixon's visit to China in 1972 and then Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping's visit to the U.S. in 1979 -- the focus has always been the Taiwan question."
But Jiang has a number of other things he would like to accomplish, such as receiving permanent favored-nation trading status and membership in the World Trade Organization.
He also wants the United States to lift economic sanctions that were put in place after the Chinese crackdown on dissidents at Tiananman Square. And, for that matter, there are lingering trade disputes agricultural and the service industry.
During his week-long trip across the United States, China's president will do his best to be likable, for he understands that it is in his best interest to appeal directly to the American people. Jiang wants Americans to think that China is a friend and a potential partner to the United States, not an implacable, communist threat.
Beijing Bureau Chief Andrea Koppel contributed to this report.
Who is Jiang Zemin? | What does Jiang want?
The China Paradox | China's U.S. View | The Relationship | Is China a Threat?
© 1997 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.Terms under which this service is provided to you.