China’s Vice President Visits Washington

WASHINGTON (AP) — Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping's (shee jeen-ping) visit to Washington's power centers is boosting his international profile but offering little insight into the man destined to rule the world's most populous nation.

Xi stuck to a tightly scripted schedule Tuesday, going to the White House, State Department and Pentagon before meeting with business leaders.

Diplomatic niceties and soothing words of the promise of greater U.S.-China cooperation were punctuated with frank recognition of the differences between the two nations on human rights, economic disputes and worsening foreign crises.

On Wednesday, Xi meets congressional leaders before addressing corporate and policy leaders. He then travels to Iowa, which could allow him to show a more personal side and connect with ordinary Americans.

He is in line to become Chinese president next year.