China's Vice Premier Wu Yi is heading a large squad of businessmen and
economic officials on a shopping spree tour in the United States, in the hope to
cool a rising protectionist sentiment in the US Congress, the New York Times
reported.
China's Vice-Premier
Wu Yi applauds at the signing ceremony of purchasing contracts and
agreements between China and U.S. companies during her visit to Los
Angeles April 6, 2006. [Reuters] |
The Chinese buying team is expected to order US goods at an estimated
gross value of US$15 billion, sources said.
The buying mission, deemed the largest Beijing has assembled since
reestablishing diplomatic relations with the United States in late 1979,
indicates Chinese government's eagerness to improve economic and political
relations with Washington, and is also believed to pave way for the first ever
visit to the White House by President Hu Jintao later this month, the newspaper
quoted analysts as saying.
More than 100 business executives joined Madame Wu Yi, an economic
trouble-shooter, on an American tour that began Tuesday in Hawaii and is
scheduled to cover a total of 13 states. The trip is expected to result in
multibillion-dollar orders for Boeing aircraft, auto parts, computer software,
telecommunications equipment, grain, cotton and soybeans and other products,
Chinese officials and media reports said.
Wu said China expects some trade friction with the United States but views
stable economic ties as crucial.
Washington and Beijing should resolve
disputes in a spirit of "objectivity, equality and consultation and avoid
politicizing economic and trade issues," the Xinhua News Agency quoted Vice
Premier Wu Yi as saying at a signing ceremony in Los Angeles.
At the
ceremony, an array of procurement contracts worth 4.44 billion U.S. dollars were
signed, involving 27 projects, ranging from software, power generation equipment
to automobiles and electronic products.
She said a mutually beneficial
trade relationship is crucial for overall China-U.S. relations, though some
friction is to be expected.
A senior Chinese foreign ministry
official described the latest buying mission as "very big," and noted that it
included representatives from a wide range of state-owned and private businesses
who do not typically travel with senior Chinese leaders.
"We do want to show the United States that trading ties are mutually
beneficial and we hope people will take notice," said the senior foreign
ministry official, who do not want to be identified by name. "Our message is
that common interests are on the increase and the basis of the bilateral
relationship is being constantly strengthened."
President Hu Jintao will visit the United States from April 18-22, his first
trip to the White House since becoming China's Communist Party chief in 2002 and
president in 2003. Chinese officials are eager to ensure a positive reception
for Mr. Hu and to demonstrate that he can keep China's most delicate and
important diplomatic relationship on an even keel, said the New York Times.