Greenspan smiles, but makes no comment

US Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan was bombarded with questions from Chinese journalists Saturday, but he only smiled at them and said "Sorry."

The 79-year-old Fed chairman made his first visit to China and became a "star" at the ongoing G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors in Beijing.

The fervor of Chinese media on the US central banker started right after the announcement of his China visit.

Days before his arrival, Chinese press and websites began running stories speculating the purposes of Greenspan's visit and the possible impact.

The Chinese have every reason to care so much about Greenspan's visit. As he has served as US Fed chairman for 18 years, almost every decision Greenspan makes touches the nerves of the global economy.

Amid the debate on China's exchange rate reform, his coming to Beijing raised hopes for better communication and understanding onthe issue between China and the United States.

After the G20 financial and bank chiefs meeting, Greenspan will attend the annual talks of the Sino-US Joint Economic Commission on Oct. 16 and 17, together with Treasury Secretary John W. Snow and other senior US officials.

By then, Greenspan is expected to discuss the exchange rate issue face to face with Chinese central bank Governor Zhou Xiaochuan and Finance Minister Jin Renqing.

No one knows what he would say to his Chinese colleagues, but almost everyone knows whatever conclusion Greenspan draws up after his China visit would certainly have its impact.

Source: Xinhua