Change to Hu's schedule expected in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, some analysts say, others see it as proof of discord
Analysts have given a mixed reaction to the postponement of President Hu Jintao's visit to the White House, with some saying it was to be expected in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and others seeing it as a worrying sign of discord between Beijing and Washington.
Yu Wanli , of the American Foreign Relations Study Institute at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said yesterday it would be inappropriate for Mr Hu to make a state visit while the US was recovering from the disaster.
'As a guest, it would just not be good timing for President Hu to visit when President [George W.] Bush and his team were busy coping with the aftermath,' Mr Yu said.
However, he admitted the mainland's state media had done a poor job reporting on the cancellation, which fuelled speculation about the reasons.
Mr Yu pointed out that given the extensive preparations required on both sides to arrange such a visit, the schedule would be changed only in special circumstances.
'But [Katrina] is like September 11,' he said, referring to the terrorist attacks in the US four years ago.