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

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