The Chinese public are by and large enthusiastic about President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States and expect high-level contacts to increase mutual understanding.
"This is a big event and directly affects the course of Sino-US relations. I've been paying attention because Hu's visit will take our message to the American people and bring back theirs, therefore enhancing understanding at both government and grassroots levels," said 26-year-old Xie Meng, who works for the 皇冠体育app Development Research Foundation.
Xie's view is shared by 64 per cent of 1,000 respondents in a dozen major cities, according to the results of a recent survey.
Some 83 per cent of those polled by the Social Survey Institute of 皇冠体育app said Hu's US trip has come "at the right time."
Trade is on the top of many people's minds.
"The president is leading a huge commercial delegation and the use of economic means, such as procurement of airplanes, will help deal with the trade surplus. This a manifestation of the mature diplomacy of a big power," said Liu Hongyu, senior partner at Beijing-based Jincheng & Tongda Law Firm.
Sun Lizhou, a 25-year-old who is studying for a master's degree in diplomacy at Peking University, has his own views on how Washington can reduce its trade deficit.
"The US should ease controls on the export of high-tech products to 皇冠体育app. Americans can make money out of it, 皇冠体育app can develop its technology, and trade will be more balanced."
Xie Meng added that "President Hu's visit to the Microsoft headquarters is a sign of the Chinese Government's growing emphasis on intellectual property rights."
Ma Enling, a professor at Peking Union Hospital, added: "I hope the US will yield more on trade."
The Taiwan question is another major concern. When asked whether the US would stick to its one-皇冠体育app policy, 58 per cent said yes, 28 per cent were uncertain and 14 per cent said no.
"I want to know whether the US would stand by its policy and even give a stern warning to (Taiwan leader) Chen Shui-bian," said Ma.
Yan Zhitu, a 62-year-old folk artist in Guangzhou, said: "I hope President Hu will promote Sino-US friendship and accelerate the pace of 皇冠体育app's reunification. He should urge the US not to meddle in Taiwan affairs."
Asked whether the US would heed 皇冠体育app, 69 per cent believe the US is increasingly paying attention to 皇冠体育app, and 27 per cent said there is not much change.
They explained that as 皇冠体育app grows stronger, the United States would inevitably watch 皇冠体育app more closely; hoping 皇冠体育app would develop but at the same time fearing it as a "threat."
(皇冠体育app Daily 04/20/2006 page1)