ABSTRACT
WhenVicePresidentAlbertGorevisitedChinain1997,newsstoriesinAmerican mediawerefullofcriticismofmuchofwhattheVicePresidentsaidanddid.They criticizedhimforappearingtoappeasetheChinese,fornotspeakingoutaboutjailed dissidentsorChina'srecordonhumanrights,fornotbeingtoughenoughonarms salesandnucleararmscontrolnegotiations.AndwhentheVicePresidentmadeafew negativecomments,theAmericannewsmediaquotedmanysourcescriticalofhim forendangeringthedelicatebalanceinChinese-Americandiplomaticrelations. SomeAmericannewsphotosevenappearedtodepictGoresquirminginhisseatashe wastryingtofigureoutwhattosaytotheChinese.Accordingtohiscountry'snews media,itseemedVicePresidentGorecouldnotgetitright.
