{
  "id": 8318648,
  "title": "Word to the wise on organising a Chinese leader’s US visit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/word-to-the-wise-on-organising-a-chinese-leaders-us-visit",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T22:00:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Reuters Business via SCMP",
    "slug": "reuters-business-via-scmp",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3367969/word-wise-organising-chinese-leaders-us-visit"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "I wish the team organizing President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to the United States the best of luck. This was not always the case - in 2006, when President George W. Bush invited President Hu Jintao, I was tasked with handling the situation and had little experience in such high-stakes diplomacy.\n\nInitially, Bush was open to a state visit, but only after the Chinese agreed to participate in the coalition against terrorism. When the Chinese refused, a compromise was made for a \"social lunch\" on the White House lawn, with the traditional welcoming ceremony as a concession.\n\nUnfortunately, the lead-up to Hu's visit was fraught with challenges. The Chinese government's persecution of the Falun Gong movement, which Hu was a part of, led to attempts to disrupt his visit. On the eve of the event, the Chinese ambassador repeatedly demanded intervention, to which I could only explain the constitutional rights of the Chinese government.\n\nThe ceremony began with the Chinese national anthem, mistakenly played for Taiwan. As Hu addressed the crowd, a protester stood up to criticize Hu for his persecution of Falun Gong. I feared for my job as I watched the Secret Service, tasked with handling peaceful protesters, fail to intervene.\n\nHu struggled to leave the podium by the wrong stairs, requiring Bush's assistance. This led to a tense Oval Office meeting where Bush reminded Hu of his duty to treat guests with respect. Despite the incident, Bush did not terminate my employment, although it took time before he considered me for a permanent position.",
  "summary": "Let me begin by wishing those planning Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the US on September 24 the best of luck, something I didn’t have in 2006, when president George W. Bush invited president Hu Jintao to the White House. After you read this, you may wonder how I was able to keep my job. All I can say is, Bush was a very forgiving boss. This story begins in January 2006. I had just…",
  "key_points": [
    "President Xi Jinping's US visit planned with high stakes diplomacy",
    "Challenges included Falun Gong persecution and national anthem mix-up",
    "Bush handled tense situation, avoided termination despite incident"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Word to the wise on organising a Chinese leader’s US visit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/word-to-the-wise-on-organising-a-chinese-leaders-us-visit-8319526",
        "published": "2026-09-18T22:00:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}