World leaders and their China tours
Updated: 2013-12-07 14:11
(People's Daily Online)
|
|||||||||||
More than a high speed train ride and a hotpot
Prior to his state visit to China from Monday to Wednesday, British Prime Minister David Cameron expressed excitement at the anticipation of a ride in a Chinese high speed train and a hotpot in Chengdu, giving a touch of informality to the official event.
Over the past few years, world leaders like Cameron have often shown that they share the same interests in China as ordinary tourists, "signaling that they really like the country", according to Yu Jun, professor at the Chinese Academy of Governance who has studied public diplomacy for years.
Expert "chi huo"
Chi huo, the Chinese equivalent of "foodie", referring to someone who has an ardent interest in food, is a buzzword in China. Now, in the eyes of many Chinese netizens, Cameron can add it to his resume. As a matter of fact, many other world leaders share Cameron's fondness for Chinese food.
During his visit to China, US President Obama demonstrated considerable proficiency in using chopsticks, considered by many as evidence that he had had plenty of experience eating Chinese food.
Former French president Jacques Chirac enjoyed his favorites Beichuan bean jelly (liang fen) and Sichuan Flavored Secret Recipe Chicken (shu xiang jia chuan ji).
The US Vice President Joe Biden ordered Noodles with soy bean paste (zha jiang mian) in a chao gan'er restaurant that serves traditional Beijing dishes.
And Russian Prime Minister Medvedev sipped Maofeng tea from the Yellow Mountains.
Related:
Related Stories
Girls should dream big, too 2013-08-13 00:31
The ties that bind 2012-11-06 09:09
Getting to know you 2012-11-05 08:59
The French connection 2012-10-16 08:39
You can't call yourself a Beijinger till your bike's stolen 2012-08-22 09:44
Hot Topics
moon rover air defense identification zone CPC and reform China and Japan air pollution Cameron in China
Editor's Picks
Beijing flexes police power in anti-terror fight |
Street children live in hole in a wall |
Countries mark end of WWII |
US museum to return statue to Cambodia |
Carvings of World Cup stars show up in Sao Paulo |
American wrestlers win Times Square event |