Hu starts visit in Seattle

SEATTLE — Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in the Seattle area Tuesday to meet with business leaders eager for a bigger share of China's markets before he heads to Washington, D.C., for talks with politicians wary of his nation's muscular stance in trade, energy and currency policy.

At Microsoft Corp.'s suburban Redmond campus, Hu said he admired what Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates had achieved. He also sought to reassure Gates that China is serious about protecting intellectual property rights, a key concern for the company as it battles widespread piracy of its Windows operating system there.

"Because you, Mr. Bill Gates, are a friend of China, I'm a friend of Microsoft," Hu said through a translator. "Also, I am dealing with the operating system produced by Microsoft every day," he added, to laughter.

Gates responded: "Thank you, it's a fantastic relationship," and then quipped: "And if you ever need advice on how to use Windows, I'll be glad to help."

Washington state was Hu's first stop on an ambitious four-day U.S. tour. It comes at a time of substantial unease among American businesses, political leaders and the public about how China is using its new power.

His summit Thursday with President Bush will cover a broad agenda, from China's much-criticized currency and other trade policies, to its aggressive search for oil and its positions on the developing nuclear programs in Iran and North Korea.

In his whirlwind visit to the Microsoft campus, Hu — accompanied by Gates, company CEO Steve Ballmer and an entourage of Chinese dignitaries — saw some business technology demonstrations and toured Microsoft's Home of the Future, which features experimental technology.

On Wednesday, Hu planned to tour a Boeing Co. commercial jet plant and deliver a major policy address.

Hu began his trip Tuesday in Everett, about 30 miles north of Seattle, where members of the Seattle Kung Fu Club and a handful of ribbon dancers from a Seattle elementary school welcomed him.

Hu also was greeted by government and business leaders, including Gov. Chris Gregoire and Starbucks Corp. Chairman Howard Schultz.

Hu told Gregoire he didn't choose Seattle simply because it's the closest major U.S. city to China.

"It is also because your state enjoys very good cooperative relations with my country," Hu said through a translator.