PRESIDENT Clinton has paid tribute to Deng Xiaoping's economic reforms in China and said he was "greatly saddened" to learn of his death.
But the death of the Chinese leader, which has been long expected, is not expected to affect US China relations in any major way, according to a senior US official yesterday. "Deng had in recent years detached himself from the levers of power. This will likely not have a great effect," said the official, who asked not to be identified.
Plans for US Secretary of State Ms Madeleine Albright's trip to Beijing next week remain on track, according to a state department spokesman.
President Clinton, speaking during a visit to Boston, paid tribute to Deng Xiaoping and credited China's role in the world today to his "decision to open his country to the outside world".
"I was saddened today to learn of the death of Deng Xiaoping, China's senior statesman," Mr Clinton said in a statement.
"Mr Deng's long life spanned a century of turmoil, tribulation and remarkable change in China.
"He spurred China's historic economic reform program, which greatly improved living standards in China and modernised much of the nation," Mr Clinton said.
Mr Clinton said Deng's historic US visit in 1979 "laid the foundations for the rapid expansion of relations and co operation between China and the United States".
"China today plays an important role in world affairs in no small part because of Deng's decision to open his country to the outside world," Mr Clinton said.
"Over the past two decades, Mr Deng was an extraordinary figure on the world stage and the driving force behind China's decision to normalise relations with the United States.
"Mr Deng's long life spanned a century of turmoil, tribulation and remarkable change in China. He spurred China's historic economic reform programme, which greatly improved living standards in China and modernised much of that nation.
The President said: "China today plays an important role in world affairs in no small part because of Mr Deng's decision to open his country to the outside world "