Bush Arrives in China on Goodwill Visit

BEIJING — Former President George Bush began a private goodwill visit to China on Thursday as the Clinton Administration and Beijing continued to trade sharp words over human rights and trade privileges.

China’s official New China News Agency said Bush arrived with an entourage including former National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft, and was greeted at the airport by Vice Foreign Minister Liu Huaqiu.

Chinese officials said Bush had requested that his six-day visit be kept low-key, and there were no preparations for media access to the former American leader.

Bush, widely regarded here as a “friend of China,” is expected to meet Chinese leaders such as President Jiang Zemin and Premier Li Peng during his trip.