胡锦涛主席访美专题报道

胡锦涛参观微软
Hu starts US trip with Microsoft visit

Hu Jintao, China’s president, opened his four-day US trip on Tuesday with a tour of the Microsoft campus in Seattle, a visit the company hopes will mark the beginnings of a sea change in Beijing on intellectual property rights.


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On arrival, Mr Hu said China and the US “share broad common interests, have a solid foundation for co-operation and shoulder joint responsibility for promoting world peace and development”.

Mr Hu was due to attend a dinner for 100 guests at the nearby home of Bill Gates, the Microsoft chairman, hosted by the governor of Washington state, Christine Gregoire, and attended by various senior Chinese officials and US dignitaries.

Mr Hu will visit the Boeing factory just outside Seattle on Wedesday
For full coverage of Hu’s four-day US trip, plus the other big stories affecting China,
click here

, before heading to Washington for a summit with George W. Bush on Thursday.

Mr Hu’s friendly reception in Seattle from some of the US’s biggest and most international businesses will be a welcome contrast to a much more critical reception in Washington.

China has made a series of announcements on IPR issues in the lead-up to Mr Hu’s visit, issuing a directive for computers to be pre-loaded with legitimate software and for governments not to use pirated versions.

The announcements follow a period of sustained pressure from the US on IPR, urged on by companies like Microsoft, for whom piracy has been the biggest obstacle to establishing a viable business in China, which should be one of its largest markets.

However, Microsoft executives say China has begun to strengthen its position on the IPR issue because it now believes stronger protection is in the interests of its own economic development. “If it only helped companies like Microsoft, you would not see them embracing it al
Hu’s visit in pictures
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l that enthusiastically,” said Craig Mundie, Microsoft’s chief technical officer.

“I believe that for more than a year Chinese leaders have come across a threshold where they recognise that IPR is critical to the country’s own future requirements.”

Mr Mundie said Microsoft was not so “naive” as to think the situation in China would change overnight, but that the recent announcements represented a “quantum leap” on the previous seven to eight years.

He said that China remained a priority for Microsoft, both as a market and as a source of technology into the future market, despite the IPR difficulties.

“That’s why the company has been investing there even though the climate for our business has been sub-optimal,” Mr Mundie said.

In a ceremony at the Seattle headquarters on Monday, Lenovo, China’s top computer maker and owner of IBM’s PC division, announced a deal to sell computers in China with Microsoft software pre-installed. The agreement is estimated to be worth $1.2bn over 12 months.

Yang Yuanqing, the Lenovo chairman, said the new policy had already had a dramatic impact in China, with some 70 per cent of customers now buying computers pre-loaded with Windows XP, up from 10 per cent before November.

In his hour-long visit to the Microsoft campus, Mr Hu was given a tour of the company’s display home of the future and also shown various “avant-garde” computer applications. “Hosting heads of state is something that we have quite a few opportunities to do,” said Mr Mundie.
胡锦涛参观微软


中国国家主席胡锦涛昨天开始了他的访美之行，参观了微软公司(Microsoft)位于西雅图的园区。微软认为，这次访问象征着中国政府对知识产权的态度出现根本转变。


稍后，胡锦涛将在微软董事长比尔?盖茨(Bill Gates)家中出席一个有100位客人参加的晚宴。晚宴由华盛顿州州长克里斯廷?葛瑞格尔(Christine Gregoire)主持，嘉宾为中国高官和美国商界名流。


胡锦涛还将参观西雅图市郊的波音(Boeing)工厂，然后前往华盛顿，周四与布什(George W. Bush)总统举行峰会。

对中国而言，西雅图商界的友好接待，很可能比预期在华盛顿会听到的更为尖锐的批评声音好受。


胡锦涛出访前，中国已就知识产权问题发表了一系列通告，发布指令要求电脑预装合法软件，且政府部门不得使用盗版软件。

中国最大的个人电脑制造商联想(Lenovo)已从11月份开始预装微软软件。联想和微软昨天表示，今后一年联想将购买价值12亿美元的Windows软件。


中国政府做出这些承诺前的一段时间里，美国在知识产权问题上不断对中方施加压力。美国的施压行动得到了微软等美国企业的支持。盗版已成为微软在中国有效发展业务的最大障碍。


然而，微软高管们认为，中国已开始强化在知识产权问题上的立场，因为中国现在认为，加强对知识产权的保护符合自身的经济发展利益。


“如果只是对微软这样的企业有帮助，你不会看到他们那么热情地采取这一行动，”微软首席技术官克瑞格?蒙迪(Craig Mundie)表示。“我认为，一年多来，中国领导人已越过了一道坎，意识到知识产权对中国本身的未来要求也至关重要。”

蒙迪先生表示，微软不会“天真地”认为，中国的情况会在一夜之间改变，但最近的几个通告代表了在此前七八年基础上的“重大飞跃”。

他说，中国仍是微软优先考虑的重点，无论是作为一个市场还是未来市场的技术来源，尽管在知识产权方面存在一些困难。

“这就是本公司一直在中国投资的原因，即便我们的业务环境迄今不尽理想，”蒙迪先生说。


收购了IBM个人电脑分部的联想昨天在西雅图总部举行了一个仪式，宣布了在中国销售预装微软软件电脑的协议。

据估计，该协议在今后12个月里价值12亿美元。

联想董事长杨元庆表示，新政策已在中国产生重大影响，目前有70%的客户购买预装了Windows XP的电脑，而去年11月前的比例为10%。

在对微软园区的1小时访问中，胡锦涛参观了微软的未来家庭展示，并观看各种最前沿的电脑应用。

“我们接待过不少国家元首，”蒙迪先生表示。

Bush sees China as 'strategic partner'

Washington (dpa) - Chinese President Hu Jintao gave little ground on trade, human rights and Iran during a friendly reception at the White House, but he did get an earful from a Falun Gong protester.

Despite the disruption at the pomp-filled welcoming ceremony, the Chinese leader reaped a key reward with President George W Bush's pledge that the US views China as a long-term strategic partner.

"As stakeholders in the international system, our two nations share many strategic interests," Bush said in welcoming his guest.

Hu sought to dampen US fears that China is developing into a military rival in the Pacific and over its recent sabre-rattling on Taiwan, which the communist mainland views as a renegade province.

China is "firmly committed to the path of peaceful development," Hu said with Bush standing at his side.

But differences in the two agendas were barely concealed, starting with the delicate balance over the details of Hu's reception at the White House.

Eager to be viewed as a statesman back home, Hu wanted his first trip to the US to be recognized as a formal state visit. Bush stopped short of hosting the requisite black-tie dinner, but Hu was greeted with full military honours and a 21-gun salute.

Arriving after two days on the US West Coast promoting business ties, he also got a nod from Bush before a joint lunch when Bush said he would "continue to seek President Hu's advice and cooperation."

Another key point for Hu was Bush's restatement of Washington's one-China policy that stops short of backing independence for Taiwan.

Bush did remind Hu of the "importance of respecting human rights and freedoms" in China and urged Beijing to further open its markets to US goods and services to help shrink China's 202-billion-dollar surplus with the US last year - which Bush called "unsustainable."

Another point of underlying friction was Iran's nuclear programme, where the United States is pressing for stronger diplomatic pressure than China is willing to support, to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons.

China opposes sanctions on Iran, though it has so far refrained from using its veto power in the UN Security Council.

Analysts point to China's growing energy demand that has led it to seek oil from countries such as Iran and Sudan.

But Hu offered no concessions, saying only that he and Bush were committed to preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear power. He also evoked little urgency about spurring six-nation talks with North Korea on that country's nuclear efforts.

The carefully scripted protocol was undercut shortly after Hu's arrival when a heckler screamed at him on the White House lawn, accusing China of suppressing the Falun Gong religious movement.

Hu momentarily halted his arrival statement, but Bush encouraged him to continue and three security officers hustled the woman away. Security officials identified her as a reporter for a Falun Gong- affiliated newspaper, CNN reported.

Bush went on to have a "very good conversation" with Hu and expressed regret for the incident, US national security adviser Stephen Hadley told CNN.

"It should not have happened," Hadley said. "The president expressed regret and the Chinese delegation, I think, understood."

He said the woman represented "a legitimate newspaper" and had previously attended White House events, so security officials had no reason to bar her.

Outside the White House, several hundred opponents of the Chinese government protested Hu's visit.

When Hu unexpectedly took questions from reporters, he stood firm when asked about democracy in China. The communist leadership's goal is "socialist democracy" coupled with political stability, he said.

On booming US-Chinese commercial ties, Hu suggested that China was doing what it could to address the US trade gap.

Turning the tables on Bush, he urged the US to lift restrictions on sensitive technology exports to China and "create a level playing field" for Chinese companies that want to enter the US market.

Bush came into the talks facing calls in the US Congress for protection against Chinese imports and public opinion that tends to view China negatively.

But he pointed to Chinese pledges to shift its economy from exports to consumer demand and said that would offer opportunities for US companies.

"We don't agree on everything, but we're able to discuss our disagreements in a spirit of friendship and cooperation," Bush said.

.

US, China discuss Iran nuclear program PRINT FRIENDLY EMAIL STORY
AM - Friday, 21 April , 2006 08:19:00
Reporter: Kim Landers
TONY EASTLEY: The United States and China have discussed the possibility of the United Nations imposing sanctions on Iran because of its nuclear program.

US President George W. Bush raised the prospect of a fresh UN resolution during a meeting today with China's leader, Hu Jintao.

The two leaders also tackled other sensitive issues like North Korea, Taiwan and trade.

But President Hu's first White House visit was marred by a single Falun Gong protestor who heckled him during a speech on the South Lawn at the White House.

Washington Correspondent, Kim Landers reports.

(sound of a military brass band playing)

KIM LANDERS: On the White House lawn, China's President Hu Jintao has been greeted with full military honours.

(sound of Chinese National Anthem played by military band)

The pomp and pageantry was a year in the planning, but the highly orchestrated picture perfect ceremony has been shattered by a single heckler.

(sound of Chinese heckler screaming)

The Falun Gong protestor began screaming as President Hu began speaking, shouting at him that his days were numbered.

A clearly embarrassed President George W. Bush whispered: "You're okay," to China's leader who had paused briefly, but soon resumed his speech.

It took several minutes for the Secret Service to reach the woman and escort her away.

Moments earlier Mr Bush had called on his Chinese counterpart to allow freedom of speech and religion.

GEORGE W. BUSH: China can grow even more successful by allowing the Chinese people the freedom to assemble, to speak freely and to worship.

KIM LANDERS: President Bush appealed for China's help to tackle the nuclear ambitions of Iran and North Korea, and President Hu has pledged to do just that.

HU JINTAO (translated): We're ready to continue to work with the US side and other parties concerned to peacefully resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsular and the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiation.
KIM LANDERS: President Bush later revealed he'd used their Oval Office meeting to discuss the prospect of the United Nations ordering sanctions against Iran.

GEORGE W. BUSH: And one of the tactics that I've been talking to the President about is the use of the United Nations Security Council Chapter Seven.

KIM LANDERS: It's an idea China has so far resisted, and President Hu didn't give a public response.

But the two leaders were on common ground on the sensitive issue of Taiwan.

GEORGE W. BUSH: I do not support independence for Taiwan.

HU JINTAO (translated): We'll be no means allow Taiwan independence.

KIM LANDERS: China's leader has also used this visit to try to defuse growing trade tensions with the United States. He's promised more currency reforms and the protection of intellectual property rights. But the US has also made it clear it wants more concrete advances.

This is Kim Landers in Washington for AM.

China and Its President Greeted by a Host of Indignities

By Dana Milbank
Friday, April 21, 2006; Page A02

Chinese President Hu Jintao got almost everything he wanted out of yesterday's visit to the White House.

He got the 21-gun salute, the review of the troops and the Colonial fife-and-drum corps. He got the exchange of toasts and a meal of wild-caught Alaskan halibut with mushroom essence, $50 chardonnay and live bluegrass music. And he got an Oval Office photo op with President Bush, who nodded and smiled as if he understood Chinese while Hu spoke.


VIDEO | Chinese President Visits Washington

Friday, April 21, at 11: 00 a.m. ET
Chinese President Makes Visit to U.S.
Washington Post staff writer Edward Cody, who is based in Beijing, answers questions about the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to the U.S. to discuss trade and relations between the two countries.


Photos
Chinese President Visits U.S.
Chinese President Hu Jintao began wrapping up his U.S. tour with a visit to the White House on Thursday. President Bush encouraged Hu's cooperation to help resolve disputes with Iran and North Korea.


Transcript
Bush and Hu Meet With Press
SPEAKERS: GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES


Transcript
U.S. President George W. Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao
SPEAKERS: GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES


Washington Sketch
A national political reporter for the Post, Milbank writes Washington Sketch, an observational column about political theater in the White House, Congress and elsewhere in the capital. He covered the 2000 and 2004 presidential campaigns and President Bush's first term. Before coming to the Post as a Style political writer in 2000, he covered the Clinton White House for the New Republic and Congress for the Wall Street Journal.

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If only the White House hadn't given press credentials to a Falun Gong activist who five years ago heckled Hu's predecessor, Jiang Zemin, in Malta. Sure enough, 90 seconds into Hu's speech on the South Lawn, the woman started shrieking, "President Hu, your days are numbered!" and "President Bush, stop him from killing!"

Bush and Hu looked up, stunned. It took so long to silence her -- a full three minutes -- that Bush aides began to wonder if the Secret Service's strategy was to let her scream herself hoarse. The rattled Chinese president haltingly attempted to continue his speech and television coverage went to split screen.

"You're okay," Bush gently reassured Hu.

But he wasn't okay, not really. The protocol-obsessed Chinese leader suffered a day full of indignities -- some intentional, others just careless. The visit began with a slight when the official announcer said the band would play the "national anthem of the Republic of China" -- the official name of Taiwan. It continued when Vice President Cheney donned sunglasses for the ceremony, and again when Hu, attempting to leave the stage via the wrong staircase, was yanked back by his jacket. Hu looked down at his sleeve to see the president of the United States tugging at it as if redirecting an errant child.

Then there were the intentional slights. China wanted a formal state visit such as Jiang got, but the administration refused, calling it instead an "official" visit. Bush acquiesced to the 21-gun salute but insisted on a luncheon instead of a formal dinner, in the East Room instead of the State Dining Room. Even the visiting country's flags were missing from the lampposts near the White House.

But as protocol breaches go, it's hard to top the heckling of a foreign leader at the White House. Explaining the incident -- the first disruption at the executive mansion in recent memory -- White House and Secret Service officials said she was "a legitimate journalist" and that there was nothing suspicious in her background. In other words: Who knew?

Hu did. The Chinese had warned the White House to be careful about who was admitted to the ceremony. To no avail: They granted a one-day pass to Wang Wenyi of the Falun Gong publication Epoch Times. A quick Nexis search shows that in 2001, she slipped through a security cordon in Malta protecting Jiang (she had been denied media credentials) and got into an argument with him. The 47-year-old pathologist is expected to be charged today with attempting to harass a foreign official.

Bush apologized to the angry Chinese leader in the Oval Office. "Frankly, we moved on," National Security Council official Dennis Wilder told reporters later. It was, he said, a "momentary blip."

Maybe, but Hu was in no mood to make concessions. In negotiations, he gave the U.S. side nothing tangible on delicate matters such as the nuclear problems in North Korea and Iran, the Chinese currency's value and the trade deficit with China.

Wilder pleaded for understanding. "Some people today want to see a quick fix to the trade imbalance," he explained. "But in the new global economy there is no quick fix."

In the arrival ceremony, Bush, after leading Hu on a review of the troops, welcomed him to the White House. Hu clapped for himself. He was less enthusiastic about the long list of demands Bush made in his welcome speech: expand Chinese consumption of U.S. goods, enforce intellectual property rights, and allow freedom to assemble, speak and worship.

Hu's reply was overshadowed by what the White House transcript politely called an "audience interruption," as if somebody had sneezed.

The meeting in the Oval Office brought more of the same. In front of the cameras, Bush thanked Hu for his "frankness" -- diplomatic code for disagreement -- and Hu stood expressionless. The two unexpectedly agreed to take questions from reporters, but Bush grew impatient as Hu gave a long answer about trade, made all the longer by the translation. Bush at one point tapped his foot on the ground. "It was a very comprehensive answer," he observed when Hu finished.

Last came the unofficial state luncheon. After the butter heirloom corn broth and the ginger-scented dumplings had been consumed, Hu rose with a toast that proclaimed he and Bush had "reached a broad and important agreement on China-U.S. relations."

The White House didn't see it that way. Instead of a statement about a new accord with China, it issued a press release titled "MEDICARE CHECK-UP: Prescription Drug Benefit Enrollment Hits 30 Million . . . ."

Research editor Lucy Shackelford contributed to this report.

No Questions Asked
Rather than press China's president to liberalize, the White House imports his muzzle on the media.
Thursday, April 20, 2006; Page A24


FOR HU JINTAO, the substance of his summit meeting with President Bush today will occur before it ever begins -- with the 21-gun salute the Chinese president will receive on the White House lawn. Broadcast back to China, the reception will be offered by the communist regime as proof that Mr. Bush regards Mr. Hu as a strategic partner in managing global affairs. But there's another signal moment of the day's events, which will occur just after the Bush-Hu talks. Contrary to the standard protocol for visiting heads of state, there will be no news conference at which American and Chinese journalists can ask unscripted questions.

The White House's acquiescence to a Chinese demand that Mr. Hu not be subjected to possibly embarrassing queries about political prisoners, religious freedom or censorship of the Internet symbolizes a major element of Mr. Bush's policy -- his willingness to relegate China's worsening performance on political freedom and human rights to a back burner.


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To be sure, in briefings for American journalists and in the president's public remarks, human rights issues will be duly noted. Mr. Bush is said to be particularly moved by China's suppression of religious freedom, both among its 70 million Christians and the Buddhists of Tibet; we're told he's also focused on Beijing's policy of forcibly repatriating refugees from North Korea, in violation of international treaties.

There is much else Mr. Bush could raise with Mr. Hu, including China's employment of some 30,000 censors to control content on the Internet; its status as the world's biggest jailer of journalists, with dozens held for reporting on official corruption, environmental disasters or the need for political reform; its abrogation of an agreement to allow full democracy in Hong Kong; or the recent report of the U.N. rapporteur on torture, which said that torture "remains widespread in China."

Maybe Mr. Bush will mention some of this. But even if he does, we'll never hear Mr. Hu's response, thanks to the administration's exquisite sensitivity to Beijing's aversion to press freedom. With annoying questions excluded, the focus today is likely to be just where Mr. Hu wants it, on his discussion of strategic issues with Mr. Bush; the visual will be his 21-gun salute. Never mind that according to Mr. Bush's doctrine, respect for human rights is directly connected to the ability of states to be strategic partners of the United States. "Governments that brutalize their people," says the president's new national security strategy, "also threaten the peace and stability of other nations." News conference question for Mr. Bush: Does that logic not apply to China?

Bush calls for more cooperation with China

www.chinaview.cn 2006-04-21 01:06:58

  WASHINGTON, April 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush said here Thursday that the U.S. and China share many strategic interests and should enhance their cooperation.

  Giving a speech on a welcoming ceremony held on the White House South Lawn to welcome Chinese President Hu Jintao, who is in the U.S. for a state visit, Bush said the United States and China are two nations connected through a global economy that has created opportunity for both two peoples.

  "The United States welcomes the emergence of a China that is peaceful and prosperous... Our two nations share many strategic interests," he said.

  He said he is to discuss how to advance the interests and how China and the United States can cooperate with other nations to address common challenges in the world.

  After recalling the long history of the Sino-U.S. relations, the U.S. president said their friendship has grown from strength to strength, and yielded rich fruit thanks to the concerted efforts made by the two governments and two peoples.

  "Both China and the United States are countries of significant influence in the world....In particular, mutually beneficial and win-win China-U.S. economic cooperation and trade benefit our two peoples and promote the economic growth in the Asia Pacific region and the world at large," he said.

  After the ceremony, the two leaders held talks at the White House on issues ranging from Sino-U.S. relations to major international and regional issues of common concern. Enditem

Editor: Luan Shanglin

  Related Story

Bush, Hu find no breakthrough on Iran

Reuters

Washington, April 21, 2006



 
 
 
 

 
 



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President George W Bush failed to win a commitment from Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday on immediate steps to reduce China's $202 billion trade surplus with the United States.

Hu did give Bush a general assurance he was working to make the Chinese currency more "flexible" but this fell far short of US demands for a dramatic revaluation of the yuan as a way to make US products more competitive in Chinese and global markets and reduce the trade imbalance.

The two leaders also failed to bridge differences over how to deal with Iran's nuclear ambitions. Bush wants China to agree to tougher UN Security Council action, but his arguments did not persuade Hu.

Speaking in the Oval Office, the two leaders said their bilateral relationship had matured and they could discuss differences openly. "He tells me what he thinks, and I tell him what I think, and we do so with respect," Bush said.

Home >> China
UPDATED: 07:26, April 21, 2006
Hu, Bush stress importance of enhanced cooperation
     


Chinese President Hu Jintao and U.S. President George W. Bush stressed Thursday the importance to reinforce cooperation between the two countries.

"Enhanced interactions and cooperation between China and the United States serve the interests of our two peoples and are conducive to world peace and development," Hu said at a welcoming ceremony held by U.S. President George W. Bush on the White House South Lawn.

Hu said "the mutually beneficial and win-win China-U.S. economic cooperation and trade benefit our two peoples and promote the economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large."

Economic cooperation and trade between the two countries "have become an important foundation for China-U.S. relations," Hu said.

Hu urged the two sides to view and approach bilateral ties from a strategic and long-term perspective.

The Chinese president said that China and the United States, as two countries of significant influence in the world, "share important common strategic interests in a wide range of areas, including economic cooperation and trade, security, public health, energy and environmental protection, and on major international and regional issues."

"We should, on the basis of the principles set forth in the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques, respect each other as equals and promote closer exchanges and cooperation," said Hu. "This will enable us to make steady progress in advancing constructive and cooperative China-U.S. relations and bring more benefits to our two peoples and the people of the world."

Bush, for his part, said, "As stakeholders in the international system, our two nations share many strategic interests" and the two countries share a common interest in expanding trade, which has increased the prosperity of both peoples.

"Our trade relationship can become even stronger," said Bush.

Bush said that the United States and China share strategic interests in enhancing world security by cooperating in addressing global threats including proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, natural disasters, as well as avian flu and other pandemic disease.

The Chinese president arrived in Washington Wednesday evening from Seattle. The United States is the first leg of Hu's current five-nation tour, which will also take him to Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Nigeria and Kenya.

Source: Xinhua

Bush, China's president to discuss trade deficit
Last Updated Thu, 20 Apr 2006 09:58:59 EDT
CBC News
U.S. President George W. Bush is meeting with his Chinese counterpart in Washington, where the leaders will discuss the two countries' enormous trade gap.


INDEPTH: China


U.S. President George W. Bush welcomes Chinese President Hu Jintao at the White House. (CBC)
Chinese President Hu Jintao has been in the United States for two days, speaking with business leaders in Washington state

Hu pushes China-US trade


Thursday 20 April 2006, 14:45 Makka Time, 11:45 GMT  


Hu's visit comes amid escalating tensions over trade



Related:
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EU may curb Chinese textile imports



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China's president has urged US politicians not to let trade disputes damage Sino-US relations, arguing that China's rapid growth has saved American consumers billions of dollars and created millions of US jobs.





"China's development will present enormous business opportunities to the United States and other countries," Hu Jintao told a meeting of business and political leaders in Seattle on Wednesday.

His comments came before talks in Washington with George Bush, the US president.

The meeting at the White House on Thursday is expected to focus on economic tensions between the two countries.

Speaking in Seattle before flying on to Washington, Hu said it was "hardly avoidable" that trade frictions would occur given the size and rapid growth of the countries' two-way trade. But, he said, differences should not be politicised.






"We should properly address these problems through consultation and dialogue on an equal footing as we work to expand our business ties."




Currency row



Hu's four-day visit to the US comes amid brewing trade disputes between the two countries, primarily over the valuation of China's currency and the massive US trade deficit with China.



Washington believes that China's currency, the yuan, is undervalued by as much as 40%, giving Chinese exporters unfair advantages and creating deep imbalances in global trade.



Earlier this week a top US official criticised China's progress on the currency issue as "agonisingly slow", saying Bush was certain to raise it when the two leaders meet at the White House.




China says it will increase the
flexibility of the yuan


However, US analaysts say they are expecting a breakthrough on the exchange rate issue during the meeting between the two leaders.



Rather, they were hoping for slow, steady progress in the months ahead.



In Seattle on Wednesday, Hu said he wanted to make foreign-exchange markets more efficient.



But he said China was not ready for a drastic change in the value of the yuan.



"China will continue to firmly promote financial reforms, improve the renminbi exchange rate-setting mechanism, develop the foreign exchange market, and increase the flexibility of the renminbi exchange rate," he said.



More competitive



Revaluing the yuan is a US demand which officials say will make American exports more competitive against cheaper Chinese products.



Revaluation would also reduce China's bilateral trade surplus with the US, which last year reached $202 billion.



Hu outlined steps China is taking to address US concerns, including boosting domestic demand, further opening the Chinese market to US companies, and encouraging Chinese firms to invest in the US market.