February 24, 2009
Posted: 119 GMT

BEIJING,  China - Hillary Clinton's name carries celebrity status in China. She came to Beijing first as U.S. President Bill Clinton's first lady, now as President Barack Obama's Secretary of State. But the Chinese just call her "Hillary."

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton chats with a Chinese church official after a Sunday mass in Beijing on February 22.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton chats with a Chinese church official after a Sunday mass in Beijing on February 22.

On the eve of her greatly-anticipated visit to China's capital this past weekend, Beijingers were thoughtful.

"I think she is indeed a very powerful woman," said a businesswoman. "She has a very strong personality. I even bought her autobiography."

"I'm very keen about Hillary's visit," said another man, a banker. "Actually, I really wish I could have a dinner with her, so I can hear more about her opinions on Sino-U.S. relations."

Unfortunately, Mrs. Clinton did not have time for dinner with him but did meet with China's top brass, President Hu Jintao, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Premier Wen Jiabao. It was the first time a U.S. Secretary of State chose to take a maiden voyage to Asia in almost 50 years.

"I think she chose to visit China because China means a lot to the U.S.," said one woman, a psychologist. "She wants to have a more thorough discussion with China."

It's no secret the discussion was dominated by the global financial crisis, still a source of bitterness among some Chinese who believe the U.S. is to blame for the downturn.

"Since China didn't suffer as much as the United States in the financial crisis, Hillary's looking for cooperation and help," said the businesswoman.

"I think China and the U.S. should combat the financial crisis hand in hand," the banker said. "If the U.S. only cares about its own economy, other countries will be left behind."

As first lady, Mrs. Clinton once pressed the Chinese on human rights but said the issue would not sideline other priorities on this trip.

"Well, if we compare the current human rights condition with that during the Cultural Revolution, then there have been a lot of improvements," one woman said. "But China still has a long way to go."

"I think the Chinese government should allow more freedom on news," said a student from the Communication University of China. "Chinese citizens need to know more about negative opinions of our country."

Perhaps there is hope in more visits from diplomats like Mrs. Clinton. "I think she is very talented," said the banker. "I still don't know why she dropped out of the presidential campaign."

In China, it seems, she still has a lot of fans.

Posted by: ,
Filed under: China • Economy • Hillary Clinton • United States


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hideaki nagano   February 24th, 2009 156 GMT

I think she is a very powerful woman.
I think it sentimentally.

Tiesilike   February 24th, 2009 727 GMT

I feel that Hillary's work in China is very important, because we need to maintain good foreign relations with China as a general rule. Even small business' can be impacted by foreign relations.

Gwyneth Mason   February 24th, 2009 849 GMT

I think HIllary really mised the mark by not pressing China on their human rights issues. Without human rights, freedom of speech, basic rights you don't have the ability to move the country, world in a peaceful direction. I am disappointed in Madame secretary's lack of understanding of human rights and the need to continue to press these very important issues.

thumprr   February 25th, 2009 128 GMT

I think she will say and do anything to get the Chinese to buy up all of our bad debt. Even if that means letting the Tibet people suffer longer under the Chinese occupation of their land. Politics at it's best.

Kathy Lambert   February 25th, 2009 949 GMT

I do not think unfortunately that she had much choice but to be extremely cordial, and why not. Isn't there and old saying you catch more bees with honey. And as I am getting older all those old sayings seem to be making more sense and ringing true. They own us. If they decided to
call in our loans, our economy would really, really be in big trouble

www   February 26th, 2009 427 GMT

I don't like her, a typical americal politic people, they don't care about other country. for getting benift, nothing they can't do and say.

Snena   February 28th, 2009 154 GMT

I think that all you chinese better get straight thoughts about hillary because she's a nice and very powerful women who just dont care about her own country but also cares for you chinese.....

Dibu   February 28th, 2009 302 GMT

China is holding US by the balls. Worst still we are now hanging by the same balls. So I guess we have to be nice to them.

Keston Lim   February 28th, 2009 1524 GMT

US will continue “invest” their political strategy using Human Right for negotiation. On the other hand, China seems always disturb by their old and effective strategy.
By nature of needs, different country has different priority, it also depend on politician, leaders of the country.
Politically, is about who knows the games well, their game plans focus on create opportunities for negotiation, positioning and bargaining for their own benefit.

what?   February 28th, 2009 2029 GMT

I really wish we could have our US government provide, online, documents of what is owed to America from other countries around the world, yes, I really think that might change the idealism that America is owned by anyone, most especially China! I wonder what countries America must own by the same token! Get ready Americans, we just might have some spectacular new resources at our disposal by this manner of ownership! Now if we could get bho to stop selling off America before all the numbers are in!

Daniel   March 1st, 2009 1734 GMT

@www

That is typical of ALL political figures, not just American. In fact, that is basically her job–that is what we pay Hilary Clinton to do. Her actions in her position have no bearing on whether or not she is a good person or whether or not she cares about other countries. The fact is that she is there because we told her to go there, and she is negotiating for america because that is who signs her paycheck. It does not mean she does not care about your country. If she were to use the power we give her to represent China and not America, it would be considered treasonous.

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