Chinese President Hu Jintao took his roadshow to the US Midwest, where executives from the two countries were set to sign up to 60 new deals on Friday to underscore the message that China is open for business. Leaving behind the rancor of Washington where he was pressed on human rights and currency policy, Hu was feted by the Chicago elite at a gala dinner in US President Barack Obama's hometown.
The Chinese leader was scheduled to wrap up his four-day state visit with stops at a school and a business exhibition. Hundreds of Chicago-area and Chinese executives were due to meet and sign deals at the first US-China Trade and Economic Co-operation Forum, organisers said.
"Across the entire United States, Chicago stands at the forefront in developing relations with China," Hu told the city's mayor, Richard Daley, on Thursday night, the China News Service reported. "As China-US ties develop, there are even broader prospects for local-level contacts and co-operation between our two countries."
Among the companies expected to announce agreements on Friday were China-based computer maker Lenovo Group Ltd, China Telecom and yarn and fabric maker Weiqiao Textile Co Ltd. US companies with deals included Intel Corp, Microsoft Corp, Advanced Micro Devices Inc, network equipment maker Cisco Systems Inc and Cargill's cotton operation.
Analysts said Hu's trip had gone smoothly enough to help set a better tone to the relationship after a flare-up in tensions last year over issues including trade, North Korea and Internet censorship. US officials touted an acknowledgement from Hu at a joint news conference that more needs to be done on human rights in China and welcomed $45 billion in export deals with China. Chinese media lauded the visit as a "historic masterstroke" in easing tensions.
State television news channels gave blanket coverage to the ceremony of Hu's state dinner and welcome at the White House, in a reflection of China's desire for its leader to be portrayed as a valued and honoured player on the world stage. But the reports largely ignored thornier questions of China's currency policies and human rights record. The trip has been billed by some experts as the most important US-China meeting in more than 30 years. Obama has said the relationship between the two countries will help shape the 21st century.
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