What happens when China's president comes to dinner?

Gerald · 09-07-11, 06:55 PM

When Chinese President Hu Jintao dropped in on a farmer during a Chinese new year holiday, the visit appeared spontaneous and relaxed.

A TV news report showed Mr Hu laughing with the farmer and his family, and enjoying a local speciality, the Dingxi potato.

But what appears to be a confidential cable from the US embassy in Beijing - made public by WikiLeaks - suggests the visit was not as casual as it looked.

Senior communist party officials had been preparing for the trip for days to make sure nothing went wrong.

No detail, it seems, is too small; officials even instructed the farmer not to shave - to ensure he looked suitably rustic.

Unknown visitor

Political leaders across the world seek to manipulate media events for favourable coverage, but those attempts are often documented.

What is less well known is how Chinese leaders seek to direct public opinion through staged-managed events.

This leaked document gives a rare insight into that world.

The cable - entitled When Hu Jintao Comes For Dinner - was sent to the US secretary of state from Beijing in November 2009.

It details a visit by Mr Hu - who is also general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party - to Gansu province two years earlier.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14804739

Note: 7 September 2011 Last updated at 23:00 GMT

Herr-Berbunch · 09-07-11, 06:57 PM

I don't know - haven't read anything but the title and I'm knackered, way past bedtime for moi.

So on with my answer - the dogs all disappear?

Gerald · 09-07-11, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

I don't know - haven't read anything but the title and I'm knackered, way past bedtime for moi.

So on with my answer - the dogs all disappear?

Bedtime...me too,but your answer was very interesting,analytically...

Jimbuna · 09-07-11, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

I don't know - haven't read anything but the title and I'm knackered, way past bedtime for moi.

So on with my answer - the dogs all disappear?

Well...invite a dog to dinner and don't get too suprised if a mongrel turns up

09-07-11, 07:05 PM

Didn't Bush throw up on them once alraedy?

Jimbuna · 09-07-11, 07:19 PM

I've no idea...a whisker caught in his throat perhaps?

Gerald · 09-07-11, 07:43 PM

^

joegrundman · 09-08-11, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by privateer

Didn't Bush throw up on them once alraedy?

that was Bush the Elder, and in Japan

edit: i threw up on a dog once, also due to gastric infection. it ran away

Platapus · 09-08-11, 04:36 PM

I am confused on what exactly is the news here.

A president of a nation never does anything in public casually but often want's it to appear casual.

Do you think that when the American President "stops by a pizza joint" that the USSS has not been working out the logistics for weeks?

And the White House press department is not trying to make it look casual?

So what exactly did wikileaks uncover?

09-08-11, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joegrundman

edit: i threw up on a dog once, also due to gastric infection. it ran away

The dog or the infection?

09-07-11, 06:55 PM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	What happens when China's president comes to dinner? When Chinese President Hu Jintao dropped in on a farmer during a Chinese new year holiday, the visit appeared spontaneous and relaxed. A TV news report showed Mr Hu laughing with the farmer and his family, and enjoying a local speciality, the Dingxi potato. But what appears to be a confidential cable from the US embassy in Beijing - made public by WikiLeaks - suggests the visit was not as casual as it looked. Senior communist party officials had been preparing for the trip for days to make sure nothing went wrong. No detail, it seems, is too small; officials even instructed the farmer not to shave - to ensure he looked suitably rustic. Unknown visitor Political leaders across the world seek to manipulate media events for favourable coverage, but those attempts are often documented. What is less well known is how Chinese leaders seek to direct public opinion through staged-managed events. This leaked document gives a rare insight into that world. The cable - entitled When Hu Jintao Comes For Dinner - was sent to the US secretary of state from Beijing in November 2009. It details a visit by Mr Hu - who is also general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party - to Gansu province two years earlier. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14804739 Note: 7 September 2011 Last updated at 23:00 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

09-07-11, 06:57 PM	#2
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	I don't know - haven't read anything but the title and I'm knackered, way past bedtime for moi. So on with my answer - the dogs all disappear? __________________

09-07-11, 07:19 PM	#6
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	I've no idea...a whisker caught in his throat perhaps? __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

09-07-11, 07:43 PM	#7
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	^ __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

09-08-11, 04:36 PM	#9
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,361 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	I am confused on what exactly is the news here. A president of a nation never does anything in public casually but often want's it to appear casual. Do you think that when the American President "stops by a pizza joint" that the USSS has not been working out the logistics for weeks? And the White House press department is not trying to make it look casual? So what exactly did wikileaks uncover? __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

09-07-11, 07:05 PM	#5
Madox58 Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Didn't Bush throw up on them once alraedy?