CHINA: XIAN: ARRIVAL OF US PRESIDENT CLINTON

(25 Jun 1998) English/Nat

A spectacular welcoming ceremony at the ancient walled city of Xi'an heralded the first day of President Clinton's historic and controversial nine day visit to China.

In a speech to the packed audience the President gently broached the subject of individual freedoms and personal worth, qualities that have made the U-S a strong successful country he said.

China's historically poor record on human rights and its severe clampdowns on freedom of speech are the very issues that have made this state visit so controversial in the United States.

In response to those critics back home Clinton said closer ties between China and the U-S were vital if the two superpowers were to act jointly on world issues.

Air Force One landed on Thursday in the murky dusk of the industrial city of Xi'an, shrouded by chronic smog.

President Clinton's first stop of his nine day tour takes him to the ancient walled capital, where pageantry dates back dynasties.

Xi'an, an industrial city in northern China, was imperial China's capital for 1-thousand -100 years, and home to emperor Qin Shihuangdi, the ruler who unified the country.

A lavish ceremonial welcome awaited the President and First Lady at the South Gate of the ancient former capital.

People lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the American president, who's the first to visit China since George Bush's trip in 1989, the year of the atrocities in Tiananmen Square.

The Mayor of Xi'an, Feng Xichu, presented the U-S president with a golden key to the city gates, wishing them prosperity and happiness.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Thank you for the key to your city and for this magnificent welcome. Here in this ancient capital China seems very young tonight blessed with both a proud history and the promise of tomorrow"
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, President of the United States

The U-S delegation was then treated to an elaborate display of traditional dancing and costumed warriors, a testament to the history of the province.

The president made a speech in which he simultaneously praised China's contribution to
world culture and to the goals that the Chinese administration should be shooting for if ties with the U-S are to be strengthened.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I want to see more of the new nation you are building on a scale even the emperors could not have foreseen. The China that gave us printing now boasts fax machines, computers and cellphones. Xi'an is home to film makers, internet explorers, and business people of every description."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, President of the United States

The President made a subtle reference to human rights and personal liberty, issues that have occupied critics of the state mission.

To succeed further and to grow stronger the President implied that China must confer similar rights to its citizens if it was to grow stronger internationally.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Respect for the worth, the dignity, the potential and the freedom of every citizen is a vital source of America's strength and success. In this global information age where both economic growth and individual opportunity are based on ideas and a commitment to providing all human beings with the opportunity to develop their full potential is vital to the strength and success of the new China as well"
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, President of the United States

He made a brief reference to the fact that his trip had been regarded as a bad idea by critics back in the U-S, but insisted that differences had to be ironed out between the two countries if a common destiny was to be pursued.


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