Chinese president will visit in April

OLYMPIA – Chinese President Hu Jintao will visit Washington state in April, cementing business and cultural ties that could lead to “amazing” expansion of two-way trade, Gov. Chris Gregoire said Wednesday.

The rare visit to the state by a sitting Chinese president will be April 18 and 19, the governor confirmed. Former Chinese leaders Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin have also visited Seattle. Gregoire’s immediate predecessor, Gary Locke, was the first Chinese-American governor.

Hu had planned to visit last fall as part of a trip to the United Nations and the White House. But President Bush, tied up with the Hurricane Katrina aftermath, had to reschedule and the Seattle trip was scrubbed.

Gregoire said she’s thrilled that the state will get the limelight for its goods and services, which she said the Chinese prize for top quality.

Gregoire said Hu and his entourage will tour Microsoft and Boeing plants and that the president has been invited to give a major public address. She said Bill and Melinda Gates will host a state dinner at their mansion.

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