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Chinese President's Visit Draws Supporters and Protestors To Seattle

Hundreds of supporters waved as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in downtown Seattle today. As the motorcade zipped by on the way to the Westin Hotel, Tony Zhao held up a giant red flag with five yellow stars on it.

He was not the only one waving a Chinese flag. Some well-wishers held the red flag in one hand and the American flag in the other.

Zhao came to Seattle 15 years ago. He says for Chinese immigrants like himself, the visit by President Xi Jinping is thrilling.

Many on hand wore white t-shirts with Chinese characters on them that translate to “Love China.” After the motorcade passed, many supporters celebrated with food, passing around pastry boxes filled with pork buns, even shared with some with Seattle police officers.

President Xi’s visit also brought out several dozen protesters who stood silently holding signs. Most came to protest treatment in China of followers of the spiritual practice of Falun Gong.

Paula is a former host, reporter and producer who retired from KNKX in 2021. She joined the station in 1989 as All Things Considered host and covered the Law and Justice beat for 15 years. Paula grew up in Idaho and, prior to KNKX, worked in public radio and television in Boise, San Francisco and upstate New York.