By Peh Shing Huei, China Bureau Chief

Beijing - Visiting United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday hailed the beginning of a 'new era' for US-China relations, a partnership which she believed would lead the world out of the economic crisis.

Making it clear that saving the economy and slowing climate change take precedence over issues such as human rights and Tibet, she struck a conciliatory tone towards Beijing as she zipped around the Chinese capital on her maiden trip here as America's top diplomat.

China, with foreign exchange reserves of about US$2 trillion (S$3 trillion), is the world's largest holder of US government debt.

Clinton wins over Chinese leaders

She focuses on the economic crisis and security rather than on human rights

By Peh Shing Huei, China Bureau Chief

Beijing - Mrs Hillary Clinton made all the right moves and said all the right things in her maiden trip to China as United States Secretary of State, said analysts here yesterday.

And they believed that much of her success was already achieved before she set foot here last Friday night for a three-day visit.

'Even before she touched down in Beijing, she had said that human rights issues will not be at the top of her agenda. That must please the Chinese government,' said Renmin University's international relations expert Shi Yinhong.

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