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Chinese fans mob Schwarzenegger
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-15 09:41 Arnold Schwarzenegger, the millionaire movie star
and governor of the U.S. state of California, made a big splash at his first
event in China on Monday -- perhaps too big of a splash for his security detail
after dozens of photographers and fans mobbed him in the Chinese capital.
Schwarzenegger
walks past a Chinese guard at a Special Olympics torch run ceremony in
Beijing. [AP] | Schwarzenegger had just finished
speaking at an event honoring the Special Olympics program in China when bedlam
descended on him and his entourage.
He and his wife, Maria Shriver, were momentarily separated from their
official security detail and Chinese police had to shove away photographers and
curious onlookers who surrounded the couple.
It was a new experience for Schwarzenegger, who in recent months has been
dogged by protesters in California as he promoted his special election.
Schwarzenegger arrived in Beijing on Monday to start a six-day mission to
promote California products and encourage Chinese officials to crack down on the
piracy of copyrighted music, movies and software.
Also on his agenda: political rehabilitation.
Schwarzenegger's trade mission will provide a much-needed fresh start after
the losing special election campaign, allowing him to reclaim his role as
California's high-profile ambassador-in-chief.
His first day schedule included the Special Olympics tribute and a reception
with the 80 business leaders accompanying him on the trip, as well as a meeting
with Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu.
The governor will visit Shanghai and Hong Kong later in the week. In Hong
Kong, he will kick off an anti-piracy public-service campaign starring himself
and action star Jackie Chan.
China's population of 1.3 billion and rapidly emerging economic clout make it
a prime target for U.S. companies seeking expanded markets.
President Bush also visits China this week as part of a multination Asia
trip. In China, he plans to pressure the country to revalue its currency, reduce
its trade surplus with the United States and curb intellectual property theft.
The China trip is Schwarzenegger's third overseas mission since taking office
in November 2003. In 2004, he traveled to Israel and Germany on his first
mission, and to Japan in the fall.
The governor's schedule includes an event to promote trade at the Great Hall
of the People in Beijing, a tour of the Port of Shanghai, the premiere of the
latest Harry Potter movie in Shanghai and a celebration of "California Grown"
food products in Hong Kong.
He also will hold business meetings on energy, sustainable development,
agriculture and ports.
California is the major gateway for U.S. trade to China, with cotton and
computer-related products leading the way. The state exported US$6.8 billion in
goods to China in 2004, double what it exported in 2000, according to the
California Chamber of Commerce.
Schwarzenegger isn't the only governor making the rounds in China this week.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is there on a similar trade mission, leaving members
of that state's delegation worried that Schwarzenegger's visit would overshadow
their own.
"When (former pro wrestler) Jesse Ventura was our governor, he got a lot of
attention in China because he was a celebrity," said David Metzen, a member of
the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. "That's sure to happen when Arnold
gets here. California will get a lot more attention than Minnesota."
Maria Shriver will pursue her own schedule in China, visiting an orphanage
and a battered women's shelter. Schwarzenegger's first stop Monday will be the
promotion for the Special Olympics, which was founded by Shriver's mother,
Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
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