"I love American people," China's Prime Minister Zhu Rongji (Jue Yong-jee) announced while visiting the White House last week. President Bill Clinton responded by assuring the Chinese leader there is no problem that "cannot be resolved through friendly consultation."
But the talk wasn't all that friendly. The two leaders disagree on issues ranging from trade to human rights to spying.
Clinton insisted that China must "give citizens greater freedom." He criticized China for taking "steps backward on human rights" by arresting people for expressing their views. But Zhu wouldn't discuss the subject of human rights. "We have enough time to argue about these questions," he said. "I don't want to go into them now."
The President said he had also brought up recent evidence of Chinese spies' stealing secrets from U.S. research labs. Zhu's response: "I don't believe such a story."
Zhu said only good friends could disagree but keep talking. "If you're right about that," Clinton said after their difficult talk, "you've turned out to be quite a good friend indeed."