China Syndrome

This cartoon was originally posted in March 2005.

From CNN: China's leader begins U.S. visit.

China's leader Hu Jintao has arrived on his first visit to the United States since becoming president in 2003, landing in Seattle, Washington, on a four-day trip likely to be used to allay America's trade and currency concerns.

In a statement given to reporters, Hu said U.S.-Chinese relations were enjoying "sound momentum of growth" and the two nations were "shouldering joint responsibility for promoting world peace and development." ...

Hu signaled his focus on Taiwan -- which broke away from the mainland during the 1949 civil war -- on Sunday, when he urged its leaders to take part in a fresh round of talks. But at the same time, he called the island's independence advocates a danger to regional peace. ...

[Derek Mitchell, senior fellow at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS),] told CNN that Taiwan was always on top of the Chinese agenda in visits such as the one Hu was about to make. He said Hu will want the U.S. to ease back in the level of support it gives to Taiwan. While the United States has long acknowledged the "one China" policy, it is pledged to defend Taiwan against hostile action from the mainland.

Posted by Forkum at April 19, 2006 06:01 PM