Hu's debut Western leaders get rare chance to size up China's

BEIJING -- He leads the world's most populous nation but remains a mystery to most, with few trips abroad and carefully scripted public appearances.

Over the next two weeks, though, dozens of foreign leaders will get to know Hu Jintao when he makes his overseas debut as China's new president, traveling to Russia on Monday, then France for talks with President Bush and other leaders at the annual Group of Eight summit.

The visits allow Hu to add the title of global statesman to his growing resume and to take another step out of the shadow of long-serving predecessor Jiang Zemin. By taking a place alongside other world leaders, Hu will be opening up new contacts and influence, boosting his prestige and authority.

Chinese officials insist Hu's visits will not mark any changes in foreign policy. Though a major trading power and permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, China is only starting to feel comfortable as a diplomatic force and remains largely aloof from many international issues.

Different style

"Hu doesn't yet have the personal authority to effect the direction and content of foreign policy," said Sin-ming Shaw, a China specialist at Oxford University's St. Antony's College.

In style, Hu is a marked contrast from his predecessor.

Jiang liked to impress, and sometimes shock, his hosts with songs, bear hugs and poetry recitations in foreign languages. Hu, who is not known to speak any foreign languages, is said to be affable but businesslike when meeting overseas guests.

And while Jiang delighted in the media spotlight, Hu has ordered state media to tone down reporting on such events. Farewell and welcoming home ceremonies -- long a Chinese political ritual -- have been canceled in the name of government efficiency.

Hu, trained as an engineer, worked his way quietly up the ranks of the party and was designated as Jiang's successor almost a decade ago. He has steered clear of controversy, keeping his views to himself and avoiding squabbles with other leaders, giving him a reputation for being enigmatic and bland.

While China says it is not interested in joining the club, Hu's presence can only add to China's image as a rising global power. The Foreign Ministry says he will meet Bush and other leaders on the summit's sidelines, though no details have been given. Hu and Bush last met a year ago in Washington.

Hu is to stop in Kazakhstan and Mongolia on his way home.

The visits come as China's international reputation is taking a beating over its handling of the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome. China was criticized for covering up the initial wave of SARS infections, leaving neighboring countries unaware and unprepared as the virus spread.

Mainland China has reported 308 deaths from SARS -- the global high.

Still, Hu's response to SARS has given him an opportunity to appear presidential and has burnished his emerging image as a down-to-earth problem solver and man of the people. After months of official silence on the outbreak, Hu brought information about the disease into the open, fired the health minister and launched a prevention campaign that has largely contained the spread. State media have publicized his visits to hard-hit areas.

Hu also is taking drastic steps to avoid taking along the virus on his travels and make sure he leaves other leaders with nothing more than a good impression. Officials say he and members of his delegation went into semi-isolation last week and were undergoing daily medical checkups to ensure they are SARS-free.