Thursday, October 24, 2002

President Jiang Zemin began what could be his final visit to the United States as mainland China's head of state, saying he hoped the trip would improve relations between the two nations.

Jiang attended a banquet hosted by the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations Tuesday before heading to Texas to visit President George W. Bush at his ranch. He was then to participate in a conference of Asian-Pacific economic leaders in Mexico.

The 76-year-old leader is believed to be preparing to step down as Communist Party leader in November. His term as president ends next year.

"I look forward to meeting President Bush to exchange views on a series of important subjects," Jiang said before the banquet. "I'm confident that this visit will help move forward the constructive and cooperative relationship between the mainland and the United States.

"The two countries have broad common interests and share common responsibilities in such areas as fighting terrorism, maintaining peace," he said.

Outside the banquet, more than 200 protesters gathered. Most were supporters of Falun Gong, a spiritual movement banned in China in 1999 as a threat to communist rule.

The protesters held group meditative exercises outside the hotel where Jiang spoke.

About two dozen other people were protesting Beijing's occupation of Tibet.

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