Washington, 23 October 1997 (RFE/RL) - The State Department says the United States is not planning to block anti-communist demonstrations that might take place during next week's visit to the U.S. by Chinese President Jiang Zemin.
There are reports that critics and opponents of the Chinese government plan protests in the seven cities Jiang is scheduled to visit, including Washington, where he is to have a summit with President Bill Clinton next Wednesday.
At a press conference yesterday, Chinese Embassy spokesman Yu Shuning said China hopes that the U.S. will prevent any attempts to disrupt Jiang's visit.
At the State Department, spokesman James Rubin said the U.S. is a democracy and that there is a right to express a point of view. He said the U.S. has no plans to curb the freedom of expression guaranteed all Americans.