Bush, Once Envoy to China, Plans Return Trip

WASHINGTON — Vice President George Bush will return to China next month, where he served as the first U.S. envoy to that country, his office announced Friday.

Bush’s trip Oct. 13-18 reciprocates the visit to Washington made earlier this year by Chinese President Li Xiannian.

“The visit to China will continue the series of high-level exchanges that have helped make the U.S.-China relationship a stable and enduring one,” a statement from his office said.

“The vice president will view firsthand the changes and achievements the Chinese have made in modernizing agriculture, public works and industry,” it said.

Bush served as the first U.S. envoy to China in 1974 and 1975 after the United States established relations with the communist regime but before the post was raised to the ambassadorial level.

Bush will spend 2 1/2 days in Peking for talks with government leaders and American business representatives, then travel to Chengdu to open the new American consulate and meet with Chinese leaders and students.

He will also visit Guilin, a new tourist center, and Guanzhou to meet with provincial leaders and members of the American community. He will also visit the Canton trade fair.