Posted on 10/21/2001 8:57:28 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
SHANGHAI, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Asia Pacific leaders ended months of media speculation on Sunday when they turned up for a meeting in Shanghai wearing embroidered Chinese silk jackets in blue, red, brown, black and bright green.
Leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum traditionally don a jacket or shirt reflecting local culture on the final day of their annual meeting and China's state media has been filled with stories about the options in Shanghai.
The final choice was a closely guarded secret. Prior to the meeting, one Chinese official even called it a "state secret" -- meaning anyone revealing it could be given the death penalty.
In the end, APEC leaders sported tailor-made silk jackets covered in large circular embroidered designs showing peonies surrounding the acronym APEC.
Chinese watching the leaders arrive at the meeting on television roared with laughter as U.S. President George W. Bush emerged from his limousine in a sky blue number.
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark also got a big laugh when she arrived with her jacket unbuttoned -- a definite Chinese fashion faux pas.
The jackets were based on a traditional Mandarin design but gave "expression to features of modern design," APEC spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue told a news conference.
"They are symbolising also the wishes of the Chinese people for a successful gathering of the APEC community in Shanghai, China," she said.
Leaders were allowed to choose their own colour and most opted for red or blue. Chinese President Jiang Zemin chose a scarlet version. Only South Korean President Kim Dae-jung went for the shocking lime green.
"As for how they look, everyone can make their own judgement," said Zhang.
But she declined to give details about what had happened to the jacket for Taiwan's representative. Taiwan stormed out of the meeting on Saturday accusing China of failing to send an invitation to its hand-picked envoy.
China, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province, has said Taipei should have followed past practice for APEC and nominated a delegate with an economic background.
"If the representative from Chinese Taipei could attend the meeting, I believe he would have worn a very suitable outfit," Zhang said.
23:38 10-20-01
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New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark also got a big laugh when she arrived with her jacket unbuttoned -- a definite Chinese fashion faux pas.
My mother learned that in 1983 on a tour of China when she unbuttoned the top button on the back of her collar to roll it down because it was hot. She was told in no uncertain terms by the guide that the Chinese would think that shocking behavior. They are very particular about a woman showing the nape of her neck. My mother was 70 years old at the time.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and. President George W. Bush, wearing traditional Chinese silk coats, chat as they walk to a family photo session of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shanghai, October 21, 2001. The two-day APEC summit focused on measures to counter terrorism in the wake of the attacks on the United States, and boost trade to support the slumping global economy.
Eriko Sugita/Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, U.S. President George W. Bush, second from left, Chinese President Jiang Zemin, second from right, and Hong Kong's Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa walk to a group photo session at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shanghai Sunday, Oct. 21, 2001.
(AP Photo/Eriko Sugita, Japan Pool)
The Chinese definitely favor red -- the bride wears red at her wedding, they like red velvet couches and chairs, when they give money as a gift at the New Year it's always in a red envelope, etc.
Sometimes one laughs at their own embarrassment...For there appeared a giant amongst pigmys.
In China, the one-child policy has made those only children the objects of parental obsession, at least among parents with the wherewithal to spond time thinking about such things. Are they really going to want to send their children to war? Will they stand by and risk some towelhead nutball butting those kids at risk with smallpox? The world is coming together, mostly in a positive way.
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