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.