China seeks to soften image with US

In a bid to deflect US criticism of its growing economic and military power, China is trying to form a strategic relationship with the US by hiring a US lobbying firm to sway Congress, the Financial Times reported. The move comes as Chinese State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan visited US President George W Bush and other senior Whilte House officials, including US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and US Treasury John Snow. Tang also told the US-China Business Council that China would "gradually" address US concerns over the trade deficit and intellectual property rights and allow it greater access to services.