THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 5, 1996 TAG: 9610050206
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 34 lines
The contentious issue of U.S.-Chinese relations will be up for discussion Wednesday when the Chinese ambassador to the United States visits the area.
Li Daoyu will speak on ``America and China in the 21st Century'' at a dinner of the World Affairs Council of Greater Hampton Roads at Virginia Wesleyan College.
The U.S.-Chinese relationship has evolved from mutual suspicion and recrimination during the Cold War to cautious coexistence spurred by rapidly growing economic ties.
Some experts predict the Chinese economy could be the biggest in the world within 20 years. The Asian giant has managed to quadruple its economic output in the past two decades and is the United States' sixth-largest trading partner today.
But the U.S. policy of ``constructive engagement'' with China has raised the hackles of human rights activists, who believe the United States should be taking a stronger stand against human rights violations there.
Li entered the Chinese foreign service in 1952. Before his posting to Washington, he served as assistant foreign minister and ambassador to the United Nations.
The program at Virginia Wesleyan's Boyd Dining Hall will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 and Li's address at 8. The cost is $16 for council members, $20 for nonmembers and $10 for students.
For reservations, call 461-3664 by noon Monday. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
[Li Daoyu] by CNB