Seattle – Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Seattle on Tuesday to meet with business leaders eager for a bigger share of China’s markets before he heads to Washington, D.C., for talks with politicians wary of his nation’s muscular stance in trade, energy and currency policy.
At Microsoft Corp.’s suburban Redmond campus, Hu said he admired what Microsoft chairman Bill Gates had achieved. He also sought to reassure Gates that China is serious about protecting intellectual-property rights, a key concern for the company as it battles piracy of its Windows operating system there.
“Because you, Mr. Bill Gates, are a friend of China, I’m a friend of Microsoft,” Hu said through a translator. “Also, I am dealing with the operating system produced by Microsoft every day.”
Gates responded: “Thank you. It’s a fantastic relationship,” and then quipped: “And if you ever need advice on how to use Windows, I’ll be glad to help.”
Washington state was Hu’s first stop on an ambitious four- day U.S. tour. It comes at a time of substantial unease among American businesses, political leaders and the public about how China is using its power.
His summit Thursday with President Bush will cover a broad agenda, from China’s much-criticized currency and other trade policies, to its aggressive search for oil and its positions on the nuclear programs in Iran and North Korea.
In his visit to Microsoft, Hu – accompanied by Gates, company chief executive Steve Ballmer and an entourage of Chinese dignitaries – saw some business technology demonstrations and toured Microsoft’s Home of the Future, which features experimental technology.
Today, Hu planned to tour a Boeing Co. jet plant and deliver a major policy address.
Demonstrators in support and opposition to Hu lined the streets near his downtown Seattle hotel. Supporters waved Chinese and American flags.
Members of the spiritual movement Falun Gong, condemned by the Chinese government as an evil cult, staked out all four corners around the hotel to protest treatment of the movement’s followers in China.
At the entrance to Microsoft’s campus, protesters waved signs in Chinese and English that read “Stop web censorship” and “Release all political prisoners.”
