Gates, Hu: mutual admiration
p2p news / p2pnet: Chairman Bill invited Chinese president Hu Jintao to share a friendly glass during a ’swanky dinner’ at Gates’ home, last night.
Sales to China by Microsoft, America’s largest exporter, “could help ease tensions over a growing trade gap,” says the Associated Press.
Microsoft, Google, Yahoo and Cisco are among US giants who are being heavily and consistently criticized in the States as well as abroad for actively helping one-party China to build a red wall of censorship around the Net.
Neither China’s Net police nor Gates, et al, appear to be doing so well in this, but they’re doing their mutual best.
Hu was also invited to tour Boeing’s Everett plant in Seattle today, “just days after Chinese officials confirmed a commitment to order 80 Boeing 737 jets, in a deal valued at $5.2 billion at list prices,” says AP. “The order has yet to be finalized, and airlines typically negotiate discounts.”
Meanwhile, “Hu said he admired what Gates had achieved,” says the story.
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,” and declared:
“Because you, Mr. Bill Gates, are a friend of China, I’m a friend of Microsoft,”
Also, “I am dealing with the operating system produced by Microsoft every day,” he added, to laughter, says the story.
“If you ever need advice on how to use Windows, I’ll be glad to help,” Gates responded.
But, “while the Chinese President’s visit is being greeted enthusiastically in some circles for others it is serious cause for concern,” says EuroNews.
“Activists have gathered close to where Hu has been staying – they include protesters demanding China get out of Tibet and others claiming Taiwan’s right to independence.”
Also See:
Associated Press – Chinese leader dines with Bill Gates, April 19, 2006
mutual best – Changing China: the Net, April 18, 2006
EuroNews – Trade top issue during Chinese President’s US tour, April 19, 2006
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